Gene editing has potential for future poultry breeding

Genetic modification of animals has been around for decades but genome editors are a new tool that allow small changes – replacing one amino acid or a short sequence – to be made to the DNA. Rapid progress has been made in genome editing, and the technique has now become very efficient and is making a valuable contribution to the poultry sector, according to Mike McGrew of the Roslin Institute who was invited to the Chester meeting to offer his insights into the future of poultry genetics.