China created mini genetically modified pigs, priced at 36 million / head

Chinese scientists claim to be making genetic changes to produce miniature pigs, raised as domestic pet creatures and expected to sell for up to $ 1,600 (equivalent to 36 million VND). Vietnamese) / child. However, this job is facing conflicting opinions.

China created a mini-genetically modified pig

The institute for BGI gene structure in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, is creating mini pigs using a technique to transform the genome of the Bama pig , which has become smaller. Specifically, the researchers used TALEN enzymes to neutralize one of the two copies of the growth hormone receptor gene in the embryonic cells of Bama pigs.

The team then cloned pigs from the fetus that had been genetically affected to produce male Bama pigs that were inhibited to grow and let them naturally mate with normal female pigs. Half of the piglets born after that will be mini pigs.

The tiny pigs created in the laboratory only grow to a maximum weight of 13.6 kg as adults.

Unlike regular Bama pigs, which can weigh up to 45kg, the tiny pigs created in the lab only grow to a maximum weight of 13.6kg as adults, ie, the equivalent of one child. medium size dog.

According to Nature, tiny pigs were originally used as experimental animals for the study of human diseases. In general, pigs, especially small ones, are often used as model organisms in biomedical research, as they "closely resemble the anatomical, physiological and genetic characteristics ".

Yong Li, BGI's technical director, asserted that they did not observe any health problems associated with cloning of genetically modified pigs. In the future, they plan to present mini pigs with different colors and patterns, also through genetic modification techniques, as well as pledge to invest all the profits earned from the sale. they make ornamental creatures for scientific research.

While BGI is optimistic, some other experts expressed skepticism.

Inverse.com page quoted Yusuff Abdu, a researcher from New York University Medical School (USA), emphasizing: "Obviously, this job needs to be controlled. You cannot let the animals change in the room. There is a high risk that they can enter into nature and dominate an ecosystem if they happen to possess a more dominant trait. pets for this reason ".