It's Superpig! UK livestock genetics firm breeds first pigs capable of resisting major common infections

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Animal breeder Genus has bred the first pigs capable of resisting major porcine infections.

The livestock genetics firm said it had used gene editing technology to breed pigs that are immune to a common virus known as blue-ear disease.

The condition, called Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, can be fatal as it affects pigs’ immune systems and is incurable.

Hog heaven: Animal breeder Genus has bred the first pigs capable of resisting major common porcine infections (file picture)

The Basingstoke-based firm, which supplies pig and bull semen to farmers, worked with scientists from the University of Missouri to breed pigs that do not produce a specific protein necessary for the virus to spread.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

Genus plans to market the technology through its pig division PIC.

The virus affects millions of pigs and costs the swine industry around £1billion in Europe, according to a 2011 Iowa State University study.

Genus chief scientific officer Jonathan Lightner said it was ‘a potential game-changer for the pork industry’.