The Roslin Institute may be creating the world's first commercially accepted GM domestic animals (http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/23/could-these-piglets-become-britains-first-commercially-viable-gm-animals). They have modified pigs, using techniques that do not involve retroviruses to transfer genes or changing antibiotic resistance, so that the pig's immune system is more like that of a warthog. African swine fever kills pigs by 'sending their immune systems into overdrive'. It also infects warthogs but they quickly recover as their immune systems respond more modestly. The hope is that the modified pigs will be healthier than their unmodified cousins and this will reduce the incidence of losses in pig colonies (which can be very high). The claim is that the only remaining obstructions to the adoption of the super pigs are legal rather than scientific
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Wednesday 24 June 2015
Poking the Pig
The Roslin Institute may be creating the world's first commercially accepted GM domestic animals (http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/23/could-these-piglets-become-britains-first-commercially-viable-gm-animals). They have modified pigs, using techniques that do not involve retroviruses to transfer genes or changing antibiotic resistance, so that the pig's immune system is more like that of a warthog. African swine fever kills pigs by 'sending their immune systems into overdrive'. It also infects warthogs but they quickly recover as their immune systems respond more modestly. The hope is that the modified pigs will be healthier than their unmodified cousins and this will reduce the incidence of losses in pig colonies (which can be very high). The claim is that the only remaining obstructions to the adoption of the super pigs are legal rather than scientific
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