Review Explains Gene Editing's Contribution to Large Animal Research

Researchers reviewed the impact of gene editing tools to the large animal field. They specifically focused on CRISPR-Cas and its usage on pigs for biomedical applications.

The first batch of GM large animals was produced in 1985 to enhance the growth of agricultural livestock. Over the following decades, the genetic engineering of large animals primarily focused on biomedical applications instead of agriculture. In the article, researchers from the Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Missouri reviewed the effects of gene editing on the livestock industry.

The findings showed that CRISPR offers a better advantage for animal welfare because it requires fewer animals to produce a desired genotype. CRISPR can also boost agricultural animals' fertility, resilience, and growth. In terms of biomedical applications, gene editing provided advanced medical procedures, and genetic modification made xeno-heart transplantation available in the clinic.

For more information, read the review article on Frontiers.