The Chinese grew pigs with mice genes

Experts at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing reported the appearance of the first pigs with a mice gene derived by the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic editing method. The pigs have low-fat content, writes Agro-Center.

Scientists reorganized the genes of pigs to help them intensify the process of fat burning. In nature, pigs lack the UPC1 gene that is present in other mammals and helps them regulate body temperature. With the help of CRISPR technology, Beijing specialists took the UPC1 gene from mice and placed it in pig embryos, which were then implanted into thirteen mother pigs. Three of them became pregnant and gave birth to 12 piglets.

This technology will allow manufacturers of animal products to save millions of dollars in the process of pork production. In modern conditions, farmers are forced to spend this money on heating and feeding pigs so that they won’t freeze in winter.

It is still unknown how the meat of these pigs tastes (although scientists have selected a breed that is famous for the quality of its meat), but, according to researchers, it will be leaner as the piglets have 24% less fat than ordinary pigs.

It is a significant scientific achievement. However, we don’t know yet whether consumers are ready to eat meat from genetically modified pigs. People are still quite skeptical when it comes to genetically modified products. The US Department of Health has carefully approved apples with a non-darkening core, and GM-salmon can only be sold in Canada.

Based on hightech materials