Tuberculosis-resistant cows developed for the first time using

We employed a meticulous and methodological approach to identify the best suited region for gene insertion, which we show has no detectable off target effects on the bovine genome".

The researchers inserted the NRAMP1 gene into the genome of bovine foetal fibroblasts—a cell derived from female dairy cows—using the CRISPR/Cas9n technology. These cells were then used as donor cells in a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer, where the nucleus of a donor cell carrying the new gene is inserted into an egg cell, known as an ovum, from a female cow. Ova were nurtured in the lab into embryos before being transferred into mother cows for a normal pregnancy cycle. The experiments were also conducted using the standard CRISPR/Cas9 technology as a comparison.

total of 11 calves with new genes inserted using CRISPR were able to be assessed for resistance to tuberculosis and any off target genetic effects. Genetic analysis of the calves revealed that NRAMP1 had successfully integrated into the genetic code at the targeted region in all of the calves. None of the calves that had the gene inserted using the new CRISPR/Cas9n technology had any detectable off target effects whereas all of the calves with the gene inserted with previously used techniques for CRISPR/Cas9 did.

When the calves were exposed to M. bovis, the bacterium that causes bovine tuberculosis, the researchers found that transgenic animals showed an increased resistance to the bacteria measured by standard markers of infection in a blood sample. They also found that white blood cells taken from the calves were much more resistant to M. bovis exposure in laboratory tests.

Dr Zhang said: "Our study is the first demonstrating that the CRISP/Cas9n system can be used to create transgenic livestock with no detectable off target effects. Our work has led to the discovery of a useful position in the bovine genome that can be targeted with this gene editing technology to successfully insert new genes that benefit agricultural livestock."

>>106993

tldr: GMO cows.

Think what you will about GMOs (I don't mind them except herbicide-proofs like RoundUp-Ready), but one scary effect is that this is a step toward GMO people by the same method.

Before you laugh that idea off, imagine if we find a cancer-resistant gene that's on the order of 50%+ reduction in rates for early-onset. How many parents, especially cancer survivors themselves, would want to give that to their kids if they could? And all it would take is a simple splice during IVF.

The first fertilized human egg splice could be just a decade away.

Is this particular gene/strain of cows copyrighted? If so it will only expand the problems that farmers face from lawsuits.

>>107041

Sounds pretty badass to me. I support the continued evolution of humanity

sounds like sci fi, like it

>>107045
Since they're chinese I assume this is state research.

>>107041
Your post seems to be framing that as bad but it sounds like a good thing to me, I don't understand what you're trying to achieve here.

Would you not give your kids genetic enhancements if they were available? Assuming of course that there were no major side effects, which is unlikely.

>>106993
Noone can blame badgers anymore.

Hope they work this out for people. There are totally-resistant strains of TB out there which are a death sentence.