FDA Approves Gene-Edited Pigs For Consumption On U.S. Market

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of gene-editing technology for pigs available for human consumption on the U.S. market.

The agency gave the green light to animal genetics company Genus in their efforts to make pigs resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).

“Pigs produced to be resistant to one of the world’s most costly livestock diseases, using technology developed by the Roslin Institute, have been approved for sale to US consumers,” Edinburgh Innovations stated.

Per Edinburgh Innovations:

This landmark approval for animal genetics company Genus, following years of development, helps meet the challenge of a disease that is endemic to most pig-producing regions.

The infection, which causes fever, respiratory distress, and premature births, costs industry approximately $2.5 billion (£1.75bn) each year in lost revenue in the US and Europe alone.

The approval follows years of close collaboration with the FDA and is a significant step on the pathway to commercialisation of gene-edited pigs in the US, and other international markets.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute focused their efforts on the CD163 gene in pigs. This gene produces a receptor on the surface of cells, which the PRRS virus uses to cause infection.

Experts removed a small section of this gene, focusing on the section of the receptor that the virus attaches to, leaving the rest of the molecule intact.

Supported by Edinburgh Innovations (EI), the University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation service, the team collaborated with Genus, who also licensed novel technologies from other institutions, to produce pigs with the specific DNA change.

The resulting pigs do not become infected with the virus, and the animals show no signs that the change in their DNA has had any other impact on their health or wellbeing.

The Defender reports:

CRISPR gene editing makes it possible for scientists to manipulate an animal’s own DNA, rather than adding DNA from other species to it, as has been done with previous genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The FDA’s approval allows the company to produce the pigs commercially, which includes allowing the pigs to reproduce and pass on their genetic modification.

The designers of the pig used the CRISPR gene-editing “scissors” to edit pig embryos, cutting out the molecular receptor the PRRS virus uses to enter the cells. They then implanted the embryos into young female pigs.

“This approval is a milestone in biotechnology, with gene-edited animals potentially offering a more sustainable and disease-resistant source of protein,” wrote Food & Drink International.

Supporters also tout the idea that gene-edited pigs will need fewer antibiotics, because they won’t get sick.

However, critics doubt the editing will work for long. They also raised concerns about the technology’s unintended effects.



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