动物造模,基因编辑 z-bo 2020-09-25 366

　　According to foreign media reports, scientists have produced genetically edited animals. It is said that these animals can act as "super dads".

　　The sperm of pigs, goats, cows and mice carry the genetic material of the donor animal.

　　Researchers use high-tech gene editing tools to knock out male fertility genes in animal embryos. Animals knocked out of the fertility gene are born sterile, but after being injected with sperm-producing cells from the donor animal, they can begin to produce new sperm.

　　The joint research team of the United Kingdom and the United States said that this technology allows "super dads" to breed male offspring that carry valuable elite animal genetic material, such as high-quality bulls. They also added that in the future, we can further improve food production by improving livestock genes.

　　Professor Jon Otley from Washington State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine said: “This may have a major impact on solving food shortages around the world. If we can solve this problem through genetic methods, then it means we can use less More water, less feed and fewer antibiotics to raise animals."

　　What does the experiment show?

　　"Super Dad" has been confirmed to have viable donor sperm. In addition, mice can raise healthy offspring that carry donor sperm genes. Larger animals have not yet been bred. But Professor Bruce Whitelaw, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, said the study provides a strong proof of concept.

　　"Experiments show that this technology is real and can be used," Professor Whitelaw said. "We must now work hard to study how to use this technology most effectively to feed our ever-increasing population."

　　According to the researchers, this technology can even help protect endangered species. For example, frozen sperm from an endangered rhino can be used to regenerate the species. However, the researchers also said that the speed at which the technology is put into practice is also affected by policymakers.

　　The gene-edited livestock has not yet been licensed for human consumption, because it involves issues such as product safety, ethics and animal welfare.

　　Professor Jon Otley said that genetic technology may solve the food shortage problem.

　　What is gene editing?

　　Gene editing involves knocking out or changing the genetic code in the embryo. The CRISPR technology, a biological system that can be used to modify DNA, discovered in 2012, is currently a gene editing technology. CRISPR scans the genome to find the location of a specific gene, and then uses "molecular scissors" to cut it out of the DNA.

　　Although it works in the laboratory, the process is far from perfect and cuts out too much DNA. These unnecessary edits may change other important genes.

　　What are the moral issues?

　　The Nuffield Bioethics Council is studying the ethical issues arising from the use of gene editing technology on farmed animals. Potential applications of gene editing technology include gene-edited hornless cattle and pigs or chickens that do not get sick. The director of the council, Hugh Whittal, said that gene editing may help solve many social challenges facing the world.

　　"Whether and to what extent gene editing can be applied to scenarios outside the laboratory will depend on further research and development consistent with social values and interests. However, in many cases, these values and interests remain It needs to be clearly defined," he said, "These are the issues we are exploring in the current process of gene editing and breeding animals."