A photo from open sources PHOTO: ITAR-TASS Scottish scientists showed the world a piglet, which is not afraid of disease. After death sheep dolly scottish scientists decided to start a new one, no less interesting project. In the same laboratory of the Roslyn Institute near Edinburgh, where back in 1996 the world’s first a cloned living creature, specialists were able to create an invulnerable Super Pig. Pig-26 (“pig-26”) – that’s what the new name was called a celebrity created using the latest genetic technology correction. The way scientists were able to achieve success, involves the removal of a number of links from the genetic code and replacing them with links of other, stronger, species. Compared with cloning, which was not immediately given to the Scots, but Dolly the sheep lived only six years, this technology is simpler and more efficient. The peculiarity of the work lies only in the fact that it was the first time a new environment has been applied in which no use is required antibiotics for gene processing. Everything happens very precisely: from the regular pig’s genetic code, which consists of 3 billion links, they seize only one and replace it with a new one. “Our technology allows you to work directly with the fertilized ovum, and also refuse to use cloning, – said Bruce Whitelow, professor at the Roslyn Institute. After birth the piglet becomes the owner of a special gene that provides its immune system with protection against dangerous diseases. Such as, for example, the plague. Pig-26 “saving” gene went from a distant relative – an African pig that possesses natural immunity against plague. According to scientists, genetic correction can be applied to other animal species and, thereby making them immune to a number of diseases. Sensational birth of pig-26, according to the BBC, scientists for a long time concealed. She was born about four months ago, however only the laboratory staff decided to report this publicly now making sure that the animal has easily adapted to new genes.
Maria ZHURAVLEVA
