National Ag News
Gene editing technology would eliminate need for pig castration
Jan 15, 2018, 14:39 PM
by
System
Gene editing technology designed to eliminate pig castration is closer to reality.
Minnesota-based Recombinetics, a private company that develops and commercializes gene editing technology for human health and animal agriculture, is partnering with swine genetics supplier DNA Genetics on the project.
Recombinetics scientist Tad Sonstegard tells Brownfield through gene sequencing, male piglets can be born naturally castrated.
“Using information that was known about puberty development in humans and mice, they were able to knock out a gene that (resulted) in pigs that had testicles but the testicles didn’t develop.”
Barrows—male castrated pigs—are preferred in pork production because of consumer taste and quality preferences.
