OFC 2025: How gene editing in pigs can help eliminate disease

The Oxford Farming Conference returns next January with Farmers Weekly as the media partner. Farmers Weekly talks to one of the speakers, Dr Craig Lewis.

The son of a pig farmer, Craig’s journey in genetics began at a young age, when he was exposed not only to the wonders of pigs, but also the challenges of rearing them and supporting a viable business.

See also: Debate: Gene editing the pros and cons for farming

“I remember good times and bad,” he says.

“I remember my Dad breaking with PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome) in the 1990s, seeing the aborted pigs on the floor, pulling the dead pigs out of the barns myself, and witnessing the emotional toll it had on us as a family.”

The disease, and its devastating impacts, remain endemic in outdoor- and indoor- reared pigs both here in the UK and overseas.

However, Craig believes that precision breeding in the form of gene editing represents a paradigm shift in animal welfare improvement and livestock farming.  

He has witnessed the industry evolve and been involved first hand in the implementation of transformational genetic innovations such as genomic selection.  

“Gene editing can really be a game changer, for the industry, but also for individual farmers, like my father,” he says.

Genetic improvement  

While an effective vaccine against PRRS is yet to have been developed, the technology to rear disease-resistant pigs already exists.

With gene editing, disease can be “turned off” like a light switch.

Solutions that have a massive positive impact on the industry, including the PRRS-Resistant Pig developed by PIC, are already here.

Craig is passionate about pushing agriculture to embrace innovation and ensure that farmers across the world can access the best possible technology.

During his session at the 2025 Oxford Farming Conference, he will outline the potential of genetic innovation in real terms, addressing the “why” and “what’s in it” for different stakeholders.

For example, while consumers are demanding greater animal welfare and sustainable food supply chains, farmers are combating animal suffering and increased costs of production stemming from disease.

He claims precision breeding offers solutions for the whole food supply chain. 

“It’s not just about creating novel variants to drive profit,” says Craig.

“It’s about producing healthy, affordable and tasty animal protein to meet societal and environmental needs.”

Challenges 

Despite some recent advances, Craig acknowledges the regulatory and consumer acceptance challenges associated with gene editing technologies.  

“Having the technology and the legislative green light does not mean the game is over,” he says.

“A significant amount of discussion still needs to take place – at the local regulatory level, but also internationally, considering pork is traded globally.

“We also have a lot of talking through to do in terms of consumer acceptance, as ethical considerations ultimately surround the gene editing conversation.

“But we must not be afraid of talking openly about the tools we have at our fingertips.

“With these new genetic solutions, we are on the cusp of real change, and the fourth revolution in agriculture is on the horizon”.  

Change and opportunity

The 2025 Oxford Farming Conference addresses the theme of change and opportunity.

Craig’s session promises to offer valuable insights into the complex genetic improvement landscape.  

“People say that farming needs to go back to the way it was in the 1940s, but my argument is clear: farming like we did in the 1940s wouldn’t fill the societal needs of today,” he says.

“We must evolve to have more effective farming systems that can help deal with global concerns such climate change and growing populations, all while embracing the technological innovations available to us.”

He adds: “From my childhood to my professional travels, I’ve seen what disease does at farm level.

“But with gene editing, we can accelerate the existing benefits of high-quality pig genetics, improving animal welfare, reducing the environmental impact of protein production and further cutting antibiotic use – which is good for people, pigs, the planet and profit.

“It represents a huge opportunity; we just need to get talking about it.” 

• To book your ticket to see Craig speak, visit www.ofc.org.uk/booking