Scientists have developed gene - editing techniques that will soon enable breeders to produce animals that are resistant or immune to serious livestock diseases . The latest trial results are expected to be published shortly, but it would take several years and several generations of breeding to comprehensively introduce the edit into pedigree stock. The Roslin Institute in Edinburgh has successfully produced pigs that were resistant to Porcine virus and Respiratory Syndrome Virus ( PRRSV ) , and if current trials continue to progress , PRRSV - resistant pigs could be approved for farms in three to five years . Scientists at Roslin are also trialling African swine - fever vaccine , as well as investigating avian immunity and the genetic basis of immunity against E coli and campylobacter .
Scientists have developed gene - editing techniques that will soon enable breeders to produce animals that are resistant or immune to serious livestock diseases . The Roslin Institute in Edinburgh has successfully produced pigs that were resistant to Porcine virus and Respiratory Syndrome Virus ( PRRSV ) , and if current trials continue to progress , PRRSV - resistant pigs could be approved for farms in three to five years . Scientists at Roslin are also trialling African swine - fever vaccine , as well as investigating avian immunity and the genetic basis of immunity against E coli and campylobacter .