CONSUMERS are being asked for their views on eating meat from “gene-edited” animals as researchers aim to eradicate livestock disease.

An online survey has been launched, with the responses to inform work at Edinburgh University’s Roslin Institute. Scientists have already used gene editing to produce pigs resistant to the fatal disease known as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. It involves altering the DNA code of an animal or plant at precise points.

Researchers say the process is different from genetic modification. Professor Bruce Whitelaw from the Roslin Institute said: “We need to better understand public opinion to inform how these technologies are used and also how they should be regulated.”