New discovery could improve health of animals in future

A new study has revealed that the genetic code of pigs can give researchers insight into how the species has evolved and how it could improve the health of animals in the future. This discovery also extends the potential of pigs shedding light on human diseases.

The study involved comparing the genome, or genetic make-up, of domestic pigs with those of wild boars – from which domestic pigs are descended.

The findings indicated significant genetic differences between wild boars from Asia and Europe, which split from a common ancestor around a million years ago. These differences are also reflected in the genes of current day Western and Chinese breeds of domestic pigs, confirming the theory that pigs were independently domesticated in each region.

The researchers identified around 21,000 genes in the pig genome and compared these genes to their counterparts in people, mice, dogs, horses and cows. These comparisons revealed that the immune response genes associated with fighting infection are evolving rapidly. Improved understanding of how these genes have evolved could help combat disease and improve pig health.

The findings also revealed several instances where pig genes resembled a human gene associated with disease, such as diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer’s. This discovery may help to shed light on human diseases.

The study, published in the journal Nature, was led by scientists from The Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wageningen University and the University of Illinois.

Professor Alan Archibald, of The Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh, said: “Pork is the most popular of all meats to eat and with a growing global population we need to improve the sustainability of food production. The improved knowledge of pigs’ genetic make-up should help us breed healthier and more productive animals.”

Professor Martien Groenen, of Wageningen University, said: “This study marks the beginning of the sequencing of the genomes of hundreds, perhaps even thousands of individual pigs. This knowledge will be invaluable for pig breeding and exploring fundamental questions in biology and evolution.”