Several reports from researchers around the globe predict the emergence and spread of infectious diseases as the result of climate change. Some of these diseases are new; others are not but they’re showing up in new places creating a new threat for those areas. This unfortunate development has created a new urgency in genetically modifying farm plants and animals specifically for disease resistance.
The search for disease-resistant livestock has been underway for many years since disease has always threatened our food supply. But the scope of that search has changed. Now farmers everywhere need animals that are resistant to far more diseases than just those they have historically fought in their geographical area.
“We are currently witnessing an acceleration of the emergence or re-emergence of unexpected epidemiological events. For example, at least one new disease appears every year,” reads a report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Breeding animals resistant to a multitude of diseases is a huge challenge in itself.
However, that challenge is magnified by other problems.
Lessons learned in Africa
Livestock already exists that are disease resistant and capable of thriving on poor feed and in harsh environments. But those animals tend to be scrawny.
Disease-resistance is not the only trait farm animals need. They also need to produce enough healthy offspring and enough meat per animal to feed a growing population of hungry people. So, hardy but scrawny animals are far from the end goal.