Genome editing for disease resistance in pigs and chickens

Abstract

Implications • Genome editing technology enlarges the tool box of trait-selective breeding. • Methods for genome editing have developed over the past decades, making the technology more efficient and specific. • Technology to generate edited pigs and chickens is developing alongside genome editors to generate animals faster and more affordable. • For two major pig diseases, it has been shown that resistant animals can be generated that are refractory to infection. In chickens there are promising laboratory results but no genome-edited, resistant chickens yet. • Genome editing allows us to overcome bottlenecks in trait-selective breeding and allows the incorporation of genetic traits from other breeds, related species, or laboratory results. • Two major hurdles still to be faced prior to the implementation of this promising technology are consumer acceptance and the regulatory framework.