Gene changes to pigs raise fear of ‘Franken-swine food’
PIGS genetically modified to beat a major virus could be used in bacon, bangers and pies “within five years”.
Scientists at Edinburgh University’s Roslin Institute, which made Dolly the Sheep, have used gene “editing” to stop pigs getting blue ear disease.
Also called porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, it costs farmers £120million a year.
The condition changes so
quickly that vaccines are ineffective. Scientists hope to get permission to develop the gene technique for farmers, despite fears over “Frankenstein food”. Genetically engineering animals for food is banned in the EU, but changing genes rather than adding those of another species may be allowed. Researcher Dr Christine TaitBurkard urged a public debate, but added: “It will likely be several years before we’re eating them in bacon sandwiches.”