GM pigs could save British farmers millions, say scientists

PIGS genetically edited to resist one of the world’s most costly animal diseases could be bred after Brexit to save British farmers £50million a year.

Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, has already signalled that genetically modified animals could be sold after Britain leaves the European Union. Now scientists at the University of Edinburgh have succeeded in creating pigs which are completely resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a virus that costs farmers millions each year.

The disease causes breathing problems and deaths in young animals, and if pregnant sows become infected it can cause them to lose their litter.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute used the Crispr gene-editing technique to remove a small section of the CD163 gene, which carries a receptor that the virus likes to latch on to.

After exposing the pigs to the virus they found none became ill, and blood tests showed no trace of the infection.

Genetically modified animals are banned from the food chain in Europe.

But government scientific advisers have said they are committed to GM and are keen to move away from European laws banning genetic modification in crops and animals.

Dr Christine Tait-burkard, of the Roslin Institute, said: “These results are exciting but it will still likely be several years before we’re eating bacon sandwiches from Prrs-resistant pigs.

“First and foremost, we need broader public discussion on the acceptability of gene-edited meat entering our food chain, to help inform political leaders on how these techniques should be regulated.”

She added: “We also need to carry out longer-term studies to confirm that these genetic changes do not have any unforeseen adverse effects on the animals.”

The breakthrough was also welcomed by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, which is funded by the Department of Business.