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The US Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to gene-edited pigs for human consumption.
PIC, a UK livestock genetics company, has developed gene-edited pigs using CRISPR technology. These pigs are resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a major disease in the swine industry.
“We have spent years conducting extensive research, validating our findings and working with the FDA to gain approval,” said Matt Culbertson, PIC’s Chief Operating Officer.
“Today marks a major milestone for consumers, farmers and the entire pork industry who have desperately hoped for a solution to PRRS,” Culbertson added.
Gene-editing to curb PRRS
For years, PRRS has been a major headache for farmers worldwide. This nasty virus can wipe out young pigs and cause serious reproductive issues in breeding stock, leading to massive economic losses of $560 million annually in the US alone.
So, how exactly does this gene editing work?
PIC used CRISPR to make a specific edit, essentially knocking out a receptor on pig cells that the PRRS virus uses to get inside and cause infection.
The gene edit for PRRS resistance is introduced into early pig embryos, which are then implanted into young female pigs (gilts). This ensures that the resistance trait is passed down to all subsequent generations of pigs bred from these gilts.
Now, you might be wondering, does this mean the bacon will suddenly have superpowers? Well, not exactly. According to PIC, the pork from these PRRS-resistant pigs is no different in taste or safety compared to regular pork.
It could resist all strains
Interestingly, these modified pigs are expected to be resistant to nearly all currently circulating strains of PRRS.
This isn’t the first time gene-edited animals have been approved for food in the US.
Back in 2020, the FDA approved Revivicor’s GalSafe pigs for both food and medical use. These pigs have been genetically edited to eliminate the alpha-gal sugar found in muscles.
The presence of alpha-gal can cause allergic reactions in some people and also leads to the rejection of pig organs during transplantation into humans.
Earlier, the FDA approved genetically modified salmon for human consumption.
However, companies often face hurdles in navigating the regulatory process to gain this approval and then successfully establishing their products in the commercial market.
The potential impact of these PRRS-resistant pigs could be huge, including improved animal welfare, reduction in antibiotic use, and even a smaller carbon footprint for pork production.
“Addressing PRRS can allow us to improve animal welfare and reduce the environmental impact of raising pigs,” said Banks Baker, global director of product sustainability.
Baker added: “Recent research indicates that PRRS increases the need for antibiotics by more than 200 percent. Plus, a recent ISO-conformant lifecycle assessment found that eliminating PRRS could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5 percent in the US.
There are a few more hurdles to clear. While the FDA approval is a big step, PIC’s parent company, Genus, is also working to get the green light in key export markets like Mexico, Canada, and Japan.
According to Gizmodo, PIC anticipates that its PRRS-resistant pigs won’t be available for purchase in the US until at least 2026.
The simplicity of PIC’s gene-editing approach and the PRRS resistance may lead to these pigs becoming the first widely consumed gene-edited livestock.
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Mrigakshi Dixit Mrigakshi is a science journalist who enjoys writing about space exploration, biology, and technological innovations. Her work has been featured in well-known publications including Nature India, Supercluster, The Weather Channel and Astronomy magazine. If you have pitches in mind, please do not hesitate to email her.