In groundbreaking research, University of Minnesota scientists have used a modified gene editing system to produce horn-free dairy cattle genetics. The approach used in the research will accelerate genetic improvement in livestock for food production and the development of regenerative medicines to improve human health.
“This is the first time ever that scientists have copied genetics from one livestock breed/species to another without breeding and without any transgenes,” Scott Fahrenkrug, associate professor of animal science in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.
In the United States and Europe, horns are routinely removed from dairy cattle to protect the welfare of dairy farmers and cattle. But, dehorning is painful, stresses the animals and increases animal production expenses, so scientists set out to solve those issues.
Read the full, original story here: “Scientists Use Gene Editing to Dehorn Dairy Cattle”
