Discover new methods to help pigs become immune to disease

It may be controversial, but a new study has shown that genetic modification can help pigs become immune to many common disease viruses , limiting episodes of epidemics that cost up to $ 1.6 billion a year. for European livestock industry. The study was conducted by the Roslin Institute of Edinburgh University and published in PLOS Pathogens on February 23.

Scientists have modified a small piece in the pig genome and vaccinated with swine respiratory syndrome (PRRS) into genetically modified pigs to monitor the host's antiviral . As a result, the scientists found that the cells taken from pigs after being modified were able to withstand two classes of PRRSV .

Although controversial, the method of correcting g ene will help pets become healthier.

If this virus is infected, the piglet will have pneumonia, while the mother will die when pregnant. The authors of this study emphasize cells from pigs after being modified to block the invasion of the virus.

According to scientist Alan Archibald, the director of the study, although controversial, the method of correcting g ene will help pets become healthier, better resistant to the risk of infection, through It helps farmers reduce the damage caused by diseases.

Archibald stressed that the initial results of this work will help scientists move closer to solutions to cope with epidemics that are at risk of a major outbreak in the livestock industry.

Meanwhile, Professor Ian Jones of the University of Reading judged that this is an "interesting" approach to dealing with unvaccinated viruses. However, he also said that it is still limited in this new method because to prevent disease, all animals must undergo genetic modification process which is time consuming and difficult to approve. In addition, there are concerns about PRRSV being able to mutate into animals.