BREEDING ▶▶▶
Genetically modified cows transforming the Russian sector
BY VLADISLAV VOROTNIKOV S
o far, Russian scientists are editing three points in the cow genome, all considered crucial for modern dairy farmers, Anna Krivonogova, chief author of the project from the Russian Academy of Science’s Ural
branch told a Russian government publication. The first is the CD209 gene, a potential receptor for leucosis. By disrupting its sequence, the scientists expect to prevent the virus from entering cells and thus protect cows from this infection from birth onwards. Up to 30% of cows in Russia are affected by leucosis during their lifetime, so this change alone may bring tremendous savings to Russian livestock companies, the scientists estimated. The second gene to be edited regulates the production of beta- lactoglobulin, which is the primary allergen in cow’s milk. By turning this gene off, the scientists will make sure all milk is safe for people susceptible to dairy product allergies. Finally, the researchers claimed they wanted to edit the allele of hornlessness – a sequence that prevents horn formation. This change would also have great importance in preventing injuries among the dairy herd, the scientists said. All in all, these changes could make the Russian dairy industry much more effective, saving farmers billions in unnecessary costs. “Currently, selection is the main way of improving milk cows’ performance. It takes decades to achieve the desired results. With the gene-editing technologies, we could accomplish the task in the shortest possible time – in one to two years,” says Krivonogova. Krivonogova explains that in a recent experiment three cows were implanted with experimental embryos. The first results are expected to be seen at the end of 2021 when the first calf is born.
Technology arsenal of tools The Russian scientists explained they need to master gene-editing technologies to contribute to Russian food security strengthening. Krivonogova says that so far, the
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The Russian Academy of Sciences uses CRISPR/ Cas9 to create a new breed of milk cows with better productivity and anti-leucosis protection. Still, there are widespread concerns about the gene-editing technology and the new breed.
research is being carried out for scientific purposes only. “Nobody is going to fill farms with genetically modified calves now, but the country should develop its own methods of animal genome editing and develop genetic engineering technologies,” she says. “Imagine if the use of genetically modified farmed animals and plants is allowed everywhere, and the borders are open. It is highly likely that our domestic producer simply will not cope with the wave of imported, cheap and untested GMO goods that would flow into Russia,” Krivonogova states, add- ing that Russia needs to have these technologies ready for commercial use in order to resist foreign invasion on the food market. “Our technology is a tool. The scientists must have a full arsenal of tools at hand,” she says.
Scientists can make sure all milk is safe for people susceptible to dairy product allergies.
PHOTO: VLADISLAV VOROTNIKOV
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