Genus expands gene editing drive from pigs to cattle

LONDON, July 27 (Reuters) - Genus (Other OTC: GENSF - news) , the British animal genetics group, is expanding its drive to tap the new technology of gene editing from pigs to cattle.

The company said on Wednesday it had signed a deal with Washington State University to target bovine respiratory disease, a complex lung disease that costs the U.S (Other OTC: UBGXF - news) . cattle industry alone an estimated $1 billion in annual losses.

The new cattle work is at a much earlier stage than Genus' project in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, but it highlights how the company is ramping up research spending on gene editing in the hope of long-term gains.

Gene editing allows targeted cuts to DNA using biological "scissors" that operate a bit like a word-processing program that can find and replace selected stretches of genetic code.

The technology holds out great promise for improving agricultural production, as well as treating human disease, but it still faces a number of uncertainties, including how it will be regulated.

Genus shares fell 2 percent by 0930 GMT. (Reporting by Ben Hirschler)