The Promise of Gene Editing for Animals & People

Today, scientists worldwide are using gene editing to help solve a broad array of difficult challenges – seeking solutions to improve human nutrition and health, environmental stewardship and food insecurity. For example, one possible application is to treat sickle cell, an inherited disease that affects 100,000 people in the United States. It can cause severe pain, heart failure and early death. Imagine being able to prevent it. In food production, gene editing can help farmers keep pace with the growing demand for healthier, more abundant and affordable food while using less water and land. That said, what really captured my attention as a veterinarian is the technology’s potential to address disease in animals. For example, there is a deadly disease that affects millions of pigs worldwide. It’s known as the PRRS virus, which stands for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. One farmer describes it as the most economically and emotionally draining disease for all those raising pigs. Gene editing technology has enabled researchers to develop PRRS-resistant pigs. This application is still being tested, but it’s expected to become commercially available. It is difficult to quantify the impact that would have on animal health in terms of reduced suffering and fewer premature deaths, which equates to a reduction in both emotional and economic strain on farmers.