SCIENCE | Gene-edited livestock could be a boon to farmers in developing countries

Cattle in sub-Saharan Africa
Cattle in sub-Saharan Africa tend to make less milk or meat than those raised in advanced economies. (Credit: Ben Sadd/Minden Pictures)

Science

February 2019

Raising livestock is a vital source of income in developing countries. But these nations lack sophisticated breeding programs, so their cows and chickens don’t make as much milk, eggs, or meat as their counterparts in advanced economies. And because most farmers in developing countries have just a few animals, they risk losing all or most of their livelihood if a disease wipes out their livestock.