Scientists Of California, Produced A Bull Calf Named Cosmo.

Scientists at the University of California, Davis, fortunately, produced a bull calf, named Cosmo. Who was genome-edited as a fetus so that he will provide more male offspring? The research was hand over in a poster at the American Society of Animal Science meeting.

Using genome-editing technology CRISPR, researchers can make targeted cuts to the genome or inset useful genes, Which called a gene knock-in. In this case, scientists successfully implanted or knocked-in the cattle SRY gene. The gene that is responsible for receiving male construction, into a bovine embryo. 

It's the first demonstration of the targeted gene knock-in for larger sequences of DNA via embryo-mediated genome editing in cattle. Anticipate Cosmo's offspring that the inherit this SRY gene order develop and look like males, despite the whether they inherit a Y chromosome, said Alison Van Eenennaam, an animal geneticist with the UC Davis Department of the Animal Science.

A Van Eenennaam says part of the motivation to create more male cattle is that male cattle are about 15 per cent more effective at turning feed into weight gain. They are extra fuel-efficient than females. Additionally, they tend to be treated at heavyweight.

It could also be a win for the environment, with more scattered cattle needed to produce the same amount of beef. Ranchers could produce some females as a replacement and direct a higher proportion of male cattle for the market.