Gene editing has enormous potential for livestock production, but the agriculture industry needs to be cautious.
Public support hasn’t yet been achieved, and self-focused development won’t be the way to win it, said a British swine research expert.
“Great care is needed,” said Richard Leach of Fast Genetics.
Farmers could see gains in marbling, tenderness and feed efficiency from the introduction of gene editing in commercial livestock production.
But those sorts of features don’t connect deeply with the public; most people are moved by animal welfare issues, Leach said at the Manitoba Swine Seminar.
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To make gene editing more attractive to the public, focusing first on improving animal welfare through gene editing could do much to build support.
“Its use in the reduction of disease and other welfare areas will best align the public to understand that this technology can be used for great good in pigs,” said Leach.
Researchers have already managed to use gene editing to control porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. African swine fever is another disease that has the potential to be controlled or minimized through gene manipulation, Leach said.
