EARA has published a feature article on the use of pigs in biomedical research summarising the role they have played in scientific and medical advances.
In recent years, breeding methods and a greater understanding of the biomedical similarities between pigs and humans has seen an increase in their use in research.
Specially bred pigs for research – called minipigs – have been used in gene editing to study human conditions and test therapies, while breakthroughs have been made using pigs in organ transplants for humans and understanding and treating diseases like cancer and Covid-19.
The article also highlights how pigs have the potential to replace larger animals in some areas of research, such as replacing dogs in surgical training, and as an alternative to monkeys in testing therapeutic antibodies.
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