[Animals] Genetically-engineered pigs to be reared to fight disease

[Kn1GHT_AX]

igs are to be genetically engineered to resist one of the world's most costly animal diseases.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome costs about £1.8bn ($2.5bn) in lost revenue each year in the US and Europe.

Researchers at Edinburgh University's Roslin Institute hope it will lead the way to the pigs being available to global pork-producing markets.

The pig research, however, raises some animal welfare issues.

Critics say creating disease-resistant animals will discourage farmers from improving the welfare of their livestock.

Editing genetic code

Some believe the way the animals are kept can make them less prone to contracting the virus that causes the syndrome.