Scientists Want to Genetically Engineer Heat-Resistant Cows to Survive Climate Change – Futurism

In Brief A federal grant has enabled researchers to investigate what makes the Brangus cow so effective at body temperature regulation. Due to climate change, high temperatures have made trouble for cows, leading to decreased efficiency and quality in agriculture. Can Cows Take the Heat?

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has proposed a plan to make cowsmore resistant to the temperature increase caused by global warming. The proposal has received a three-year, $733,000 federal grant.

The scientists plan aimsto retain the quality meat cows provide whileincreasing the efficiency of the process in spite of a changing climate. The first step is conducting research on cows that already handle the heat pretty well. By studying theBrangus cow, researchers hope to identify how it regulates its body temperature, which allows it thrive in hotter climates. Once identified, researchers could usea gene editing tooltogive thatability to other breeds.

Dr Rachel Mateescu, associate professor in the UF/IFAS department of animal sciences, told Digital Trends:

Heat stress is a principal factor limiting production of animal protein and negatively affecting health and welfare of cattle in subtropical and tropical regions, and its impact is expected to increase dramatically due to climate change [] the ability to cope with heat stress is imperative to enhance productivity of the U.S. livestock industry and secure global food supplies.

That a venture like this received funding is a sign of two things that many in the scientific community have been well aware of, but that they may not have yet connected:the rate at which the climate is changing, and the potential of gene editing software.

Climate change isfundamentally changing our world.Its even changingthe genetics of several species including humans as well as altering the function of entire ecosystems.

As funding for this research is contingent on viability, its also a chance to demonstratethe rapid progress made in gene editing software, which has been catalyzed by CRISPR. Since its first demonstration in 2013,an enormous amount of research has been conducted using it. The future of gene editing with CRISPRs help looks bright, too: manytrials have or are set to beginthis year, including attempts to modify viruses to killantibiotic resistant bacteria andrevive extinct species.

While it seems more logical to reduce global warming rather than try to deal with its consequences, should the preventative method fail, the only solutions that we could turn to are those previously reserved for the realms of science fiction, like changing ourgenetic makeup or migrating to another planet.

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Scientists Want to Genetically Engineer Heat-Resistant Cows to Survive Climate Change - Futurism