Allowing gene-editing in livestock could “cut farmer losses” from disease and reduce the transmission of diseases from animals to humans, according to a report by the Tony Blair Institute.
Gene editing – changing the DNA of an organism by altering its genetic code – can be used to make animals resistant to a certain virus, including bird flu.
Gene editing of plants has been legal in England since a law was passed in 2023, but so far the secondary legislation needed to permit gene-edited animals outside of a laboratory environment has not gone through.
The report urged the Government to bring forward the legislation “as a matter of urgency”.
Sir Tony and Lord Hague, who also backed the report, wrote in a joint contribution to it: “Gene editing can help breed farm animals that are more resilient to viruses and prevent the spread of dangerous pathogens to humans.”
They added: “Five years ago, our country was caught unprepared by the Covid pandemic.
“It
would be a tragedy if in so short a time span we forgot the lessons of
that unfortunate period, and failed to do enough to ensure we are
sufficiently prepared for the next one....<<<Read More>>>...
