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Gene editing technology would eliminate need for pig castration

Gene editing technology designed to eliminate pig castration is closer to reality.

Minnesota-based Recombinetics, a private company that develops and commercializes gene editing technology for human health and animal agriculture, is partnering with swine genetics supplier DNA Genetics on the project.

Recombinetics scientist Tad Sonstegard tells Brownfield through gene sequencing, male piglets can be born naturally castrated.

“Using information that was known about puberty development in humans and mice, they were able to knock out a gene that (resulted) in pigs that had testicles but the testicles didn’t develop.”

Barrows—male castrated pigs—are preferred in pork production because of consumer taste and quality preferences.

Sonstegard says there’s multi-faceted interest for castration-free piglets.

“I think there’s demand from the producer because it’s a management practice that they probably dislike a lot.  From the animal side, being able to avoid some of the well-being and health risks that are caused by surgical castration.  And then on the consumer side, there’s always some demand, and it seems to be increasing, to improve animal well-being all the time.”

He describes the breeding technology as natural and precise, but says the project is at least three years from commercialization.

Sanstegard is also unsure of how certain regulatory approvals might impact development.