UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Sir Tony Blair urges swift gene-editing laws for livestock, citing pandemic prevention and the urgency of strengthening national biosecurity.
As reported by The Telegraph, Sir Tony Blair is pushing for animal gene-editing laws in the UK to reduce the risk of future pandemics.
What did Tony Blair’s institute propose about gene editing in livestock?
According to the Tony Blair Institute, modifying livestock genes could help minimise agricultural disease losses and decrease zoonotic infections. The report pressed the Government to act swiftly, stressing its critical urgency.
The report said,
“Experts have warned that this failure to proceed with implementation will damage the UK’s ability to reduce diseases in livestock, and risk losing gene-editing funding and talent to countries such as Brazil and the US where precision-bred livestock are legal.”
It referenced a recent study showing that bioengineered pigs were less likely to carry the more severe strain of influenza, alongside chickens bred with partial resistance to bird flu.
The report highlighted that this measure helped in
“reducing the risk of viruses mixing among livestock, becoming more transmissible to humans, and resulting in potential pandemics.”
What did Blair and Hague urge regarding gene editing and pandemic preparedness?
Sir Tony and Lord Hague, who supported the report, stated in a joint statement,
“Gene editing can help breed farm animals that are more resilient to viruses and prevent the spread of dangerous pathogens to humans.”
They said,
“Five years ago, our country was caught unprepared by the Covid pandemic. It would be a tragedy if in so short a period we forgot the lessons of that unfortunate period, and failed to do enough to ensure we are sufficiently prepared for the next one. Biosecurity is now an essential aspect of national security and growth.”
What scientists discovered using Crispr to block virus replication?
A 2019 study by scientists from the Roslin Institute and Imperial College revealed that Crispr technology could be used to eliminate a portion of chicken DNA targeted by the virus for replication.
Their findings showed that the virus was incapable of replicating inside cells that had undergone the genetic modification.
What did the RSPCA say about genetic editing in animals?
Several animal rights groups, including the RSPCA, stand against the legal approval of genetic editing in animals. It said that it has
“serious welfare and ethical concerns”
Regarding the gene editing of animals.
Chloe Steves, of the RSPCA, stated,
“Many farmed animals are already at their physiological limits, but gene editing risks unpredictable and unintended changes to the genetic makeup of animals, which can cause suffering.”
She added that the bill,
“could pave the way for secondary legislation that is supposed to minimise risks to animal welfare, but this is yet to be drafted and there is no framework at all within the Act for ethical decision-making.”
What did Defra say about protecting farmers and biosecurity?
A Defra spokesman stated,
“This government will do whatever it takes to protect our nation’s farmers from a disease outbreak. That’s why we are bolstering our national biosecurity with a £ 200 million investment to set up a new National Biosecurity Centre.”
They added,
“We continue to consider the regulatory framework for animals outlined in the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.”
Gene editing makes animals resistant to viruses
The process of gene editing, which involves changing the DNA of living organisms, can help make animals resistant to certain viruses like bird flu.
In 2023, a law was passed in England legalizing gene editing of plants. However, the secondary legislation needed to allow gene editing of animals outside laboratory settings has not been introduced.
Method of gene editing
- Gene editing alters DNA to change genetic makeup.
- CRISPR-Cas9 is a key technique used for precise edits.
- TALENs and Zinc Finger Nucleases are other methods.
- Targeted edits can add, remove, or modify genes.
- Used in agriculture to enhance disease resistance and improve yields.
- Ethical concerns and legal restrictions still exist for animals.