Gene editing brings hope in PRRS fight

Freedom from one of the world’s most costly animal diseases could be available within five years after an agreement between the Roslin Institute and animal genetics company Genus PLC to produce pigs resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS).

Professor Bruce Whitelaw, Roslin’s interim director said: “We always say five years when asked for a timeline for transferring this sort of development to commercial use on farms. In this case, however, I think it is achievable.”

His confidence is due to the fact that Genus are already working with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with a commitment to have all necessary proof of efficacy by the end of 2023.

For farmers, this raises the prospect of beating a disease which costs an estimated £1.8 billion in lost revenue each year in the US and Europe alone.

Genus, who have already published test results showing that gene-edited pigs are 100% resistant to PRRS, are now carrying out trials to assess the extent to which resistance is passed down generations.

“In addition to FDA we are working with authorities in many countries and would hope that in the UK as well there will be opportunities to advance this development,” said Dr Elena Rice, chief scientific officer at Genus in the US.

Asked how available PRRS-resistant pigs will be beyond Genus customers, Dr Rice said she hoped they will be available to everybody, adding that the company will be looking to license the trait globally.

The original PRRS breakthrough was achieved at Roslin, where scientists edited genetic code to produce pigs that can resist the disease. This work received funding from both Genus and the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

“Roslin is recognised for pioneering animal biotechnology that enables genetic engineering of farmed animals,” said Prof Whitelaw.

He added that the strong partnership with Genus was key to seeing academic endeavour translated into useable livestock projects.

CODE BREAKERS: The Roslin Institute hopes to have PRRS resistant pigs in five years.