Gene Editing for Enhanced Swine Production: Current Advances and Prospects

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Biotechnology
• Genetics

Background:

• Traditional pig breeding faces limitations in genetic diversity, disease resistance, and environmental adaptation.
• Gene editing technologies offer precise genetic modifications to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advancements in gene editing technologies applied to pigs.
• To explore pathways for optimizing swine genetics for a resilient livestock industry.
• To examine the impact of gene editing on swine production traits and its role in human disease modeling.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized recent research on gene editing tools, focusing on CRISPR/Cas9 and its derivatives in pigs.
• Examined the application of these tools for enhancing disease resistance and production traits.
• Reviewed the use of gene-edited pigs as models for human diseases.

Main Results:

• Significant progress has been made in targeting genes for disease resistance, including immunity to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses.
• Gene-edited pigs are increasingly utilized as models for human diseases, showcasing broader applications.
• Advancements address limitations in genetic diversity, disease resistance, and environmental adaptation in swine.

Conclusions:

• Gene editing holds substantial potential for sustainable livestock production by enhancing key traits and supporting biomedical applications.
• Addressing technical challenges (off-target effects) and ethical concerns is crucial for realizing the full potential of gene editing in swine.
• Integrated approaches are essential to ensure a resilient, ethical, and productive livestock sector for the future.