Genome editing opens possibilities for genetically modified livestock

Scientists said they believe they are on the cusp of developing new strains of livestock using DNA technology that may improve meat and milk production while alleviating consumer fears, according to an MIT Technology Review article published in September.

A June poll by ABC News found that barely more than a third of the public believes that genetically modified foods are safe to eat, yet a consensus among scientists and industry professionals alike said the exact opposite.

While there is controversy surrounding genetically modified organisms, most concerns center around genetically modified plants, developed by splicing specific DNA from one plant species into another. Scientists are developing a new technology called genome editing they believe will revitalize the concept of genetically modified livestock since the process involves genes in animals that are currently in the food supply.

Jennifer Bormann, associate professor of animal breeding and genetics, said using this technology can improve cattle quality without changing the quality of meat or milk consumers get from the animal.

When changing one specific gene, all other genes are unaffected, Bormann said. It would be possible to change a gene that affects meat or milk. If, for example, you wanted to make the meat more tender, you might change a gene that has been proven to make meat tender.

She also said the genome editing technology doesnt create any food safety concerns because, we have been doing it for a long time in plants, and the same product could be created without the use of this technology.

We could do the same thing with traditional breeding by crossing and backcrossing repeatedly to introgress the gene of interest, Bormann said. It would just take many generations of crossing and many years.

Karen Batra, director of food and agriculture communications for the Biotechnology Industry Organization, said genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the animals genome using techniques of modern biotechnology.

Many might be surprised to know that genetically engineered animals are just like normal cows, pigs, goats and fish only better, Batra said. They all contain a specific gene that makes them better than their conventional counterparts.

Batra also said that by incorporating genes from other organisms in a process called transgenesis, genetically engineered animals are being developed to address five broad goals. The goals are to advance human health, enhance food production and quality, mitigate environmental impact, optimize animal welfare and improve industrial products.

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Genome editing opens possibilities for genetically modified livestock