Genetic engineering can produce some pretty scary results. Just recently, scientists at the University of California, Davis, developed a bull calf, named Cosmo, who is capable of producing 75%male (or at least male-looking) offspring.<\/p>\n
RELATED:11 FACTS ABOUT GENETIC ENGINEERING AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT<\/p>\n
The bull was genome-edited as an embryo using CRISPR technology. This method allows researchers to make targeted cuts to the genome or insert useful genes.<\/p>\n
In Cosmo's case, scientists successfully inserted the cattle with the SRY gene. This gene controls the development of male features. The experiment marks the first demonstration of a targeted gene insertion for large sequences of DNA via embryo-mediated genome editing in cattle and it is made to produce cattle that look like males.<\/p>\n
We anticipate Cosmos offspring that inherit this SRY gene will grow and look like males, regardless of whether they inherit a Y chromosome, said Alison Van Eenennaam, animal geneticist with the UC Davis Department of Animal Science.<\/p>\n
As scary as the procedure may be, it could prove beneficial for the environment. Male cattle are about 15% more efficient at converting feed into weight gain, making them more fuel-efficient than females.<\/p>\n
Ranchers could produce some females as replacements and direct a higher proportion of male cattle for market, said Joey Owen, a postdoctoral researcher in animal science who is leading the project with Van Eenennaam.<\/p>\n
The project took two and a half years to develop the method to insert a gene into the developing embryo. It then saw another two years dedicated to successfully establishing a pregnancy. <\/p>\n
And it is just the beginning of the researchers' work. When Cosmo reaches sexual maturity in a year, he will be bred to study if the experiment was indeed successful in producing offspring that will grow to look like males. <\/p>\n
Cosmo and his offspring, however, will never enter the food supply. This is becausethe Food and Drug Administration regulates gene-editing of animals as if they were drugs. <\/p>\n
What do you think of this initiative? Can it lead to a more environmentally friendly production of beef or is it a scary development in genetic engineering?<\/p>\n
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Cosmo the Bull Calf Has Been Genetically Engineered to Produce 75% Male Offspring - Interesting Engineering<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Genetic engineering can produce some pretty scary results. Just recently, scientists at the University of California, Davis, developed a bull calf, named Cosmo, who is capable of producing 75%male (or at least male-looking) offspring Continue reading