Tue Feb 04 11:36:17 UTC 2025: ## Argentine Scientists Create Genetically Edited Polo Horses
**Buenos Aires, Argentina – February 4, 2025** – A team of scientists at Argentine biotech firm Kheiron has successfully created the world’s first genetically edited horses using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The five foals, born last October and November, are clones carrying enhanced genetic traits from the legendary polo mare, Polo Pureza.
Kheiron scientists used Polo Pureza’s genetic material as a base, specifically targeting genes associated with explosive speed. According to Gabriel Vichera, co-founder and scientific director of Kheiron, the process involved precisely altering the horses’ genomes to enhance their athletic performance without compromising other desirable traits. Vichera emphasized that the technique is not considered genetic doping and complies with current Argentine regulations.
“We are not inventing anything artificial, but rather we are taking that natural sequence and introducing it into another natural horse,” Vichera explained. The company plans to apply this gene-editing technology to other livestock, including pigs for organ transplantation and cows for improved protein production and heat tolerance. This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in genetic engineering and its potential applications in animal breeding and beyond.
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