The purpose behind creating genetically modified horses using the gene-editing tool was simple – improved muscle growth and speed.
It is believed that the horses created with Polo Pureza’s genes will be able to run faster and perform better on the sports field. Gabriel Vichera, co-founder and scientific director of Kheiron, says that CRISPR-Cas9 allowed them to make precise cuts in the desired region of the genome to make changes.
The scientists involved in the project edited the genes in such a manner that they could increase the explosive speed. Great care was taken to ensure that the other good qualities of the champion mare were retained.
The Reuters report also quotes Vichera as saying that there is nothing artificial about this creation, and so the five horses bred as a result tick all the boxes that Argentina. The project does not come under genetic doping, as per his claims.