Swine models of Human Conditions

Abstract

Since the introduction of Dolly, the first cloned sheep, genetic engineering of livestock has advanced to the point that nearly any genetic modification appears feasible. Genes can be introduced, deleted or altered in cultured cells. These cells can be evaluated in culture and then used to regenerate live animals by somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning). Since pigs share similar physiology with humans and have proven to be excellent models for many human conditions, genetic engineering and animal cloning are being used to produce models of human disease states and disorders. These models are proving to be particularly important for situations where laboratory rodents have proven to be inadequate. Current successes of genetically engineered swine biomedical models will be presented.