Creation of genetically modified minipigs

Creation of transgenic pigs

Fibroblasts are cultured from minipigs and genetic modifications are produced in culture. Oocytes are obtained from slaugther-house sows and divided in half by a scalpel (handmade cloning). Two nucleus-less halfs (cytoplasts) are fused together with one transgenic fibroblast to produce a reconstructed embryo. These develop into blastocysts in vitro and are then transferred into a foster sow where they develop to term.