Mouse gene might be the answer

Bovine tuberculous (TB) is endemic to many countries. The traditional approach to controlling the disease has been to cull infected herds. However, interestingly enough the genes of a mouse may hold the answers to combat this disease effectively.

A study by scientists from the Chinese agriculture ministry is the first to show that when cattle are genetically modified to carry a protective mouse gene, they become more difficult to infect and are largely shielded from the damaging symptoms of the disease. Lab tests have shown that the bacterium that causes the disease is less present in GM cattle than those given a gene from a mouse that was known to be tuberculosis resistant.

British scientists followed their lead and did extensive studies to pursue a genetic solution. However, they got resistance from several conservation groups. Prof Bruce Whitelaw of the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh says society needs to embrace many strategies to address this global challenge, both traditional and new, with many seeing genetic engineering as contributing to the much-needed solutions. To read more about the study’s interesting results, click HERE.