Beijing Genomics Institute in China, released last week their specially engineered 'micropigs' that grows up to medium-sized dog like a Labrador, through gene editing, is now to be released to be sold to the public as pets.
According to the report of David Cyranoski in Nature, these are available for US$1,600 each. These micropigs become attractive for household pet as they can grow up to 15 kilograms. Aside from that the owner can choose from the different range of coat colours and patterns through gene editing, which BGI stated that it will basically offer consumers in the future.
The process takes place when the micropigs were originally bred to the Bama pig-a miniaturized breed that weighs between and kilograms, by applying gene-editing techniques. Then the researchers of BGI cloned Bama pigs and used TALENs enzymes to hinder the growth of hormones in the cloned fetal cells. Normal female pigs were then bred with stunted male pigs, which results a healthy-generation micopigs, which according to BGI no health effects.
However, a researcher in New York University School of Medicince. Releases statement that the incredibly adorable genetically engineered "micropig", needs to be watched carefully.
Conversely, Yusuff Abdu, releases a statement to Inverse that there should be a regulation and we can't just let the lab-engineered animals spread out into the public. He even added, that there is a possibility that they will go into the wild and offset the surrounding ecosystem.
Relatively, Jens Boch, a researcher with the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg in Germany, stated that for him" it is questionable whether we should impact the life, health and well-being of other animal species on this planet light-heartedly."
Lars Bolund, a geneticist who helped the company's development on gene-editing and we're on the BGI's announcement as it will now sell the animals as pets. Moreover, a researcher in New York University School of Medicine. Releases statement that the incredibly adorable genetically engineered "micropig", needs to be watched carefully.
Conversely, Yusuff Abdu, releases a statement to Inverse that there should be a regulation and we can't just let the lab-engineered animals spread out into the public. He even added, that there is a possibility that they will go into the wild and offset the surrounding ecosystem.
