Gene-Edited Pigs Developed to Combat Devastating Swine Fever Outbreaks

Breakthrough in Livestock Disease Resistance

Scientists have developed genetically engineered pigs that demonstrate complete resistance to classical swine fever, according to research published this week. The breakthrough from the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute represents a potential game-changer for combating a disease that threatens hundreds of millions of pigs worldwide, sources indicate.

Breakthrough in Livestock Disease Resistance
Complete Protection Achieved Through Genetic Editing
Addressing a Global Agricultural Challenge
Potential Applications and Implementation Challenges
Growing Field of Precision Livestock Breeding

Complete Protection Achieved Through Genetic Editing

The research team used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to make precise genetic modifications in pig embryos that prevent the classical swine fever virus from replicating, the report states. The edited pigs showed total protection against infection with no observable effects on their health or development, according to the findings published in Trends in Biotechnology.

Simon Lillico, research scientist at the Roslin Institute and co-author of the paper, stated that “our research highlights the growing potential of gene editing in livestock to improve animal health and support sustainable agriculture.” The genetic modification disrupts a specific protein the virus requires to copy itself within the pigs’ cells, effectively creating a biological barrier against infection.

Addressing a Global Agricultural Challenge

Classical swine fever remains a significant threat to the global pork industry, particularly in regions outside Europe and the United States, analysts suggest. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization has documented how the disease “continues to cause losses in many countries,” with recent outbreaks in Japan and Indonesia demonstrating its persistent cross-border threat.

The economic impact of the disease has been devastating in multiple regions. Japan, which lost its classical swine fever-free status in 2018, has culled more than 130,000 pigs despite mass vaccination efforts. A 1990s epidemic in the Netherlands resulted in the destruction of approximately 11 million animals and costs estimated at $2.3 billion, according to historical records.

Potential Applications and Implementation Challenges

Researchers suggest the same genetic approach could potentially defend other livestock species such as cattle and sheep against related pathogens. The complete effectiveness of the gene editing means it could significantly expand current disease defenses that rely on biosecurity measures and vaccines, the report indicates.

However, experts caution that implementation faces several hurdles. Clare Bryant, a veterinarian and professor at Cambridge University, described the gene editing as a “neat mechanism” but noted that “the challenge would be in how to use it.” Public resistance to genetically modified organisms in Europe might limit adoption there, though Asian markets may be more receptive, analysts suggest.

Cost presents another significant barrier. Introducing the gene edit into “genetically diverse population of elite animals” would likely require substantial investment, according to the Roslin Institute’s Lillico. Knud Buhl of the European Livestock and Meat Trades Union noted that in regions where classical swine fever has been largely eradicated, the industry would need to carefully weigh the return on investment.

Growing Field of Precision Livestock Breeding

This development represents the latest advancement in the expanding field of precision breeding for disease resistance in commercial livestock. In May, the US Food and Drug Administration approved similar gene editing in pigs to resist porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, signaling growing regulatory acceptance of the technology.

The Roslin Institute brings considerable expertise to this research, having developed Dolly the sheep in 1996 – the first clone of an adult mammal. Researchers indicate the technology could prove particularly valuable in Asia and Latin America, where classical swine fever infections continue to cause substantial production losses. The approach would become “even more interesting” if adapted to combat African swine fever, an even more devastating disease currently disrupting global pork trade, according to industry experts.