OFC 2025: How gene editing in pigs can help eliminate diseases

The Oxford Farming Conference returns next January with Farmers Weekly as a media partner. Farmers Weekly speaks with one of the speakers, Dr. Craig Lewis.

The son of a pig breeder, Craig’s journey into genetics began at a young age, when he was exposed not only to the wonders of pigs, but also to the challenges of raising them and support for a viable business.

See also: Debate: Gene editing: advantages and disadvantages for agriculture

“I remember the good times and the bad times,” he says.

“I remember my father breaking with PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome) in the 1990s, seeing the aborted pigs on the ground, myself taking the dead pigs out of the barns and that he witnessed the emotional impact this had on us as a family. »

The disease and its devastating effects remain endemic in pigs raised outdoors and indoors, here in the UK and abroad.

However, Craig believes that precision breeding in the form of gene editing represents a paradigm shift in improving animal welfare and breeding.

He has seen the industry evolve and been involved first-hand in implementing transformational genetic innovations such as genomic breeding.

“Gene editing can be a real game-changer, for the industry, but also for individual farmers, like my father,” he says.

Genetic improvement

Although an effective vaccine against PRRSV has not yet been developed, the technology to breed pigs resistant to the disease already exists.

Thanks to genetic editing, the disease can be “turned off” like a switch.

Solutions that have a significant positive impact on the industry, including the PRRSV-resistant pig developed by PIC, are already here.

Craig is passionate about pushing agriculture to embrace innovation and ensuring that farmers around the world can access the best possible technology.

During his session at the Oxford Farming Conference 2025, he will present the potential of genetic innovation in real terms, addressing the ‘why’ and ‘what’s in it’ for different parties stakeholders.

For example, while consumers demand better animal welfare and sustainable food supply chains, farmers fight against animal suffering and increased production costs due to disease.

He says precision breeding offers solutions for the entire food supply chain.

“It’s not just about creating new variations to generate profit,” says Craig.

“It’s about producing healthy, affordable and tasty animal proteins to meet societal and environmental needs. »

Challenges

Despite some recent advances, Craig acknowledges the regulatory and consumer acceptance challenges associated with gene-editing technologies.

“Having the technology and the legislative green light doesn’t mean the game is over,” he says.

“Many discussions still need to take place – at the local regulatory level, but also at the international level, given that pork is traded globally.

“We also have a long way to go in terms of consumer acceptance, as ethical considerations ultimately surround the gene editing conversation.

“But we must not be afraid to speak openly about the tools we have.

“With these new genetic solutions, we are at the dawn of real change and the fourth agricultural revolution is on the horizon.”

Change and opportunity

The Oxford Farming Conference 2025 addresses the theme of change and opportunity.

Craig’s session promises to offer valuable insights into the complex landscape of genetic improvement.

“People say that agriculture needs to go back to what it was in the 1940s, but my point is clear: farming the way we did in the 1940s would not meet the societal needs of today” , he said.

“We must evolve to have more efficient agricultural systems that can respond to global concerns such as climate change and population growth, while embracing the technological innovations available to us. »

He adds: “From my childhood to my professional travels, I have seen the effects of disease on farms.

“But through gene editing, we can accelerate the existing benefits of high-quality pig genetics, improving animal welfare, reducing the environmental impact of protein production and further reducing use. of antibiotics – which is good for people, pigs, the planet and profit.

“This represents a huge opportunity; we just need to start talking about it.