Scientists genetically engineer pigs immune to costly disease

Gene-editing technology could be propelled into commercial farms within five years

Scientists have genetically engineered pigs to be immune to one of the world's most costly animal diseases, in an advance that could propel gene-editing technology into commercial farms within five years.

The trial, led by the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute, showed that the pigs were completely immune to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a disease that is endemic across the globe and costs the European pig industry nearly 1.5bn in pig deaths and decreased productivity each year.