Argentina breeds world’s first genetically-edited polo horses

STORY: These are the world’s first genetically edited horses.

They’ve been breed by scientists at the Argentinian biotech firm Kheiron, in the hope of creating superfast polo horses.

Here’s the co-founder and scientific director of Kheiron, Gabriel Vichera.

“We designed their genome before they were born. How do we do this? By using the so-called genetic scissors technique, which are molecular tools that allow us to go to any region of the genome, make a precise cut, and make a change in that genome.”

The scientists took genes from Argentina’s award-winning mare, Polo Pureza, and used them as the genetic base for the five horses who were all born late last year.

They edited the genes to increase speed, but all the while keeping the champion horse’s other qualities.

“We identify some sequences in a specific gene related to how the animals’ musculature develops in the genome of another animal, let’s say another mare. There are certain muscle fibers that give more explosiveness, a quicker contraction, and the animal can have a greater initial speed.”

Vichera said the horses all comply with Argentina’s current regulations and do not count as genetic doping or genetically modified organisms.

“We are not inventing anything artificial; we take that natural sequence and introduce it into another natural horse, which is what nature does, but we do it faster and more directed. So, when you see the horses in the field, they are absolutely natural.”

Vichera says their technique enables scientists to adjust the genome of any horse.

But the team are not stopping there.

Among other projects, they’re currently working on modifying pigs so their organs can be compatible for human transplants.