High-Speed Genetics - by Macey Mueller

New technology rapidly and accurately replicates specific traits in cattle

From EPDs and artificial insemination to genomic testing and in vitro fertilization, beef producers have made tremendous advancements in genetic selection and animal reproduction technologies over the years. Now, the industry’s newest state-of-the-art reproduction tool – precision breeding – has the potential to dramatically speed up genetic improvement.

Precision breeding, also known as gene editing, uses CRISPR-Cas9 technology to target a region of the genome during an animal’s single-cell state to strategically alter the DNA for a specific trait. A precision-bred animal is identical to one that could occur naturally through traditional reproduction processes, but this cutting-edge innovation allows for precise, rapid and safe replication of the desired trait, rather than waiting for the trait to emerge through several generations of breeding.

As a leading progressive breed organization, the Red Angus Association of America announced recently they will provide herdbook registry of Red Angus animals carrying gene-edited traits for heat tolerance and coat color.

Both trait approvals by RAAA emanate from specific genetic alterations designed and submitted by Acceligen, a technology company pioneering commercialization of gene-edited food animals.

Tad Sonstegard, Acceligen Chief Executive and Scientific Officer, said gene editing allows breeders to solve long-standing animal health issues and advance the welfare and productivity of their animals in a considerably shorter cycle than with conventional selective breeding.

“Precision breeding technology creates new genetic and marketing opportunities for seedstock producers,” he said. “Disseminating valuable traits like heat tolerance, red coat color and possibly even future gene-edited traits for disease resistance through the breed can have a significant impact on genetic management of animal health and well-being.

“After thorough research and diligent questioning, RAAA is really a pioneer in accepting this technology as a breeding tool, and we are excited to collaborate with them.”

Sonstegard said that while the traits approved by RAAA are naturally occurring and could be achieved through generations of crossbreeding animals, gene editing eliminates the possibility of passing along the undesirable genetic merit of other populations.

It’s important to note that gene editing is not the same as genetic modification. Sonstegard said the GMO process, known as transgenesis, introduces genetic material from other organisms, resulting in an animal that could not be found in nature or bred conventionally.

Instead, the gene editing process alters genes naturally found in an animal that could potentially also be introduced via conventional crossbreeding.

“The meat and dairy products from an animal developed by Acceligen using precision breeding are no different from their non-edited equivalents,” he said. “We are simply expediting the selective breeding process.”

Using precision breeding, Acceligen scientists developed a naturally cool or “SLICK” trait that mimics the thermotolerant genes found in criollo breeds of cattle, like Senepol, with a natural adaptation to heat. A slick hair coat is especially beneficial in the southern Fescue Belt and throughout South America where warm and humid climates make animals more susceptible to heat stress and can negatively impact both growth and reproduction.

A demonstration Angus heifer was made in Brazil to confirm its heat tolerance, and Sonstegard said there are several pre-commercial, thermotolerant animals in the United States. Acceligen is currently in the process of evaluating those animals in collaborating with the Food and Drug Administration and collecting germplasm to create future generations.

Acceligen’s black-to-red gene edit gives Red Angus breeders the power to take any black Angus animal and make a duplicate animal in a single generation. This is especially important because RAAA has an open herdbook that allows producers to use animals from the black Angus population to introduce new genetics. Once those animals turn red, they become Category 1A Red Angus.

Sonstegard said the challenge has been that breeding a black animal to a red animal results in all black progeny that are red carriers.

“As you continue breeding those animals, you don’t always get a red animal every time,” he said. “Editing the gene ‘fast-tracks’ the process because you don’t have those intermediate steps of black-red carrier animals.”

Using elite black Angus genetics, Acceligen scientists introduced changes into the cells and created embryos. Sonstegard said black-to-red gene-edited calves will begin hitting the ground this fall and winter.

Sabreena Larson, Acceligen Chief Operations Officer, regularly works with all sectors of the beef value chain in understanding and accepting this new technology. She said both gene-edited traits are currently undergoing regulatory review, but are available to breeders on a pre-commercial basis through Acceligen.

Currently the technology is being regulated like a drug through the FDA, but there is an industry push to see gene-edited traits regulated similarly to genetically modified corn under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We don’t see any major issues getting these traits approved for commercial use, and we are optimistic they should be decided by the time we are putting producer calves on the ground,” Larson said. “RAAA is really a leader in this technology adoption to improve and expand the breed, and we are eager to continue working with them on additional traits of interest to the breed.”

Ryan Boldt, RAAA Director of Breed Improvement, said selectively accepting gene-edited animals into the Red Angus registry demonstrates the association’s commitment to genetic progress and to creating the necessary framework for the use of technological advancements in the breed.

“RAAA has traditionally taken an approach based on sound science for the genetic improvement of animals,” he said. “We want to be at the forefront of any scientific innovations that allow our members to breed better animals, and we think this is another technology that allows them to do that.”

As with most new innovations entering the marketplace, Boldt said the editing process is currently expensive, but is not cost prohibitive.

“Genotyping and cloning technologies were initially too pricey for most producers, but they are now used regularly in the industry today,” he said. “Likewise, as the technology continues to advance, we would expect the cost to decrease.”

As the two gene-edited traits move through the review process, Boldt anticipates specific sire lines to be developed and disseminated through seedstock breeders.

“It’s really an important and exciting time to be involved in genetics,” he said. “Introducing these technologies into the selection of animals allows us to create an expanded and overall better gene pool.”

Acceligen’s Tad Sonstegard and his team are currently evaluating this Red Angus heifer located in Brazil. She was made using precision breeding technology that created a SLICK trait, making her more heat resistant in the tropical climate. Photo courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.

Sonstegard shared detailed information about gene editing with attendees at the National Red Angus Convention.