Stop genetically manipulating pigs!

I have read an article about research involving pigs being genetically engineered to have the same genes as sick kids with NF-1, a genetic disease which can cause learning disabilities, bone problems, heart problems and tumours. Don't get me wrong, something needs to be done to help these kids, but unnecessarily treating these pigs cruelly is not the answer. Animals are almost, if not as, important as humans. With so many alternatives to animal experiments available, why not try using different methods to research NF-1 and try to help these kids?
Please stop treating pigs cruelly unnecessarily. Thank you.