Chinese University Develops 'TB-resistant' Cattle
CHINA - Scientists in China say they have produced cloned cattle with increased resistance to bovine tuberculosis.
1 February 2017
1 minute read
Twenty calves were born, of which 11 survived for more than three months.
Bovine TB is a risk to cattle in many countries, including parts of the UK, Africa and Asia.
Researchers in China used a genome editing tool to change the genetic code of cattle. They say the technology could have widespread uses in agriculture.
A team from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University in Shaanxi, China, altered a gene involved in fighting infection.
"The resulting transgenic cattle exhibited increased resistance to M. bovis (bovine TB) infection," they said.
"Our study provides an avenue to develop the CRISPR/Cas9 system for agricultural applications."
Scientists in China have previously inserted a mouse gene into cattle in an attempt to boost protection against TB.
Source: BBC News
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