Researchers in China have successfully cloned a 4,000-year old pig breed in an attempt to preserve it genetic materials for food and medicine.
A local news source reported on 5 February that two piglets were cloned from the breed which has faced much pressure from competition by foreign breeds.
Known as the Shaziling piglets, the clones were delivered through a surrogate mother on 24 January and are thriving.
A major milestone for China’s indigenous breeds
The successful cloning of these piglets is a breakthrough not just for science and biotechnology but for China.
In the past decade, the country has sought ways to preserve its indigenous livestock breeds using biotechnology, but without much progress.
Shaziling pigs were once a staple in the Hunan province, but nearly vanished in the previous years due to industrial foreign breeds flooding Chinese farms.
The breed was later added to China’s national animal genetic resource protection list in 2006, underscoring its importance as an excellent source of pork.
Xiangtan municipal livestock breeding station initiated the cloning process as a way to preserve the genetic resources of the breed.
With support from a research team led by Yin Yulong from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, they started the somatic cell cloning experiment in June 2024.
Using frozen ear tissue cells from Shaziling pigs, they created fibroblast cells, leading to successful embryo construction, cultivation, transplantation and delivery.
According to the head of the breeding station Tan Hong, the two piglets display characteristic features of the Shaziling pig, such as a short snout, butterfly ears, and cow-like eyes.
Beyond food
Hong also stated that the piglets will serve not just as a source of healthy and quality pork, but will also serve a purpose in medicine.
This is considering the anatomical, physiological, immunological, and genomic similarities between pigs and humans, which has been corroborated by many scientists and their high biosafety.
Wu Maisheng, a researcher at the Xiangtan Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs also revealed that the success rate for using Shaziling pig islet cells in diabetes treatment reached 95.45 percent in 2005 Hunan study.
ReadNext
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found
that it is truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
I will be grateful if you continue this in future.
Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
nordvpn 350fairfax
Hello, just wanted to mention, I liked this article. It was helpful.
Keep on posting!