Federal Authorities Green-Light Genetically Modified Swine for Consumption
Here comes the science scoop on CRISPR-tweak pigs heading to your dinner table! This week, the Food and Drug Administration green-lit gene-edited swine crafted by PIC – a leading biotech firm in livestock genetics – for human chow!
The approval dropped on a Wednesday, permitting a specific gene edit for commercial pork production. The gene-wranglers at PIC used CRISPR, a nifty gene-editing tool, to engineered pigs with a resistance to porch reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), one of the most prevalent swine illnesses globally.
While you won't likely munch on these gene-edited goodies anytime soon, Matt Culbertson, PIC's COO, declared they've been off and running for years, bravely researching and collaborating with the FDA for this incredible milestone.
PIC's genius move? Disabling a piggy cell receptor that's a favorite playground for the PRRS virus to invade and wreak havoc. The gene-edited hogs should be invincible against almost all PRRS viral strains roaming our farms today. A few rare subtypes might still sneak through, but don't sweat it, they're rare!
Although PRRS might've stirred trouble long ago, it really entered the pig farmer's nightmare realm over the past few decades. Now, it's globally widespread and wreaks havoc on profits, killing off young pigs and messing with the reproductive systems of sows. Just imagine – the U.S. alone loses a whopping $560 million every year from PRRS-related hog losses![1]
CREATING THESE GENE-SWAP PIGGIES
- EMBRYO IMAGINATION: PIC starts by manipulating early pig embryos, which are then implanted into gilts. This allows the mutation to pass down generations, promising a bounty of resilient porkers down the line!
- GENE-EDITING BREAKTHROUGH: Thanks to CRISPR, the gene-editing wonder-tool, modifying pig genes is now as easy as pie!
LUXURY MEAT FOR ALLERGIC PIG LOVERS
PIC's CRISPR-accomplished pigs aren't the only gene-edited pigs approved for chomping in the U.S. Back in 2020, the FDA stamped its seal of approval on Revivicor's Galsafe pigs, which pack a powerful punch against red meat allergies.
Galsafe pigs have been genetically engineered to eliminate alpha-gal, a sneaky sugar found in red meat that often triggers allergic reactions. (Yum, on second thought...) If you're suffering from a red meat allergy, you may proudly request special Galsafe meat[3], though keep in mind it's not served up anywhere just yet.
In the future, we might see even more genetically modified meat, like salmon[5], making its way to our plates for a safer and more disease-resistant dining experience!
With a relatively effortless gene-tweaking method and massive benefits for farm health, PIC's CRISPR-edited piggies might just be the first genetically modified livestock to make a significant impact on consumers!
Remember, Genus PIC is still ironing out regulatory hurdles and seeking international approvals before piggy-powering your dinner plates – so stay tuned for future updates on your CRISPR-y bacon adventure!
This article was updated to further clarify that Revivicor's Galsafe pigs were previously approved by the FDA for human consumption, and that current versions are produced using CRISPR gene editing.
[1] World Organization for Animal Health[2] Genus PLC[3] United Therapeutics[4] Food and Drug Administration[5] AquaBounty Technologies Inc.
- In the realm of science and technology, PIC, a leading biotech firm in livestock genetics, has successfully engineered pigs using CRISPR, a gene-editing tool, to resist Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved these gene-edited pigs for human consumption, marking a significant step towards the future of commercial pork production.
- This approval has opened up a potential foothold for the application of CRISPR technology in addressing chronic diseases and medical-conditions in the health-and-wellness sector.
- By disabling a piggy cell receptor that serves as a favorite playground for the PRRS virus, these gene-edited hogs have shown resistance to almost all PRRS viral strains currently in circulation.
- The approval of gene-edited pigs is just the beginning; advancements in science and technology may lead to a wide array of genetically modified livestock in future, contributing to improved food-and-drink safety and nutrition.
- The approval of genetically modified pigs signifies a shift in food-and-drink policy-and-legislation, with implications for politics and general-news.
- In 2020, another instance of gene-edited pigs, known as Galsafe pigs, were approved by the FDA to combat red meat allergies, offering hope for individuals with allergies to enjoy their favorite meats.
- Consumers may benefit from a wider variety of food-and-drink choices, as technology advances in the areas of fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, aging, cooking, and lifestyle.
- Recipes using genetically modified ingredients might become more commonplace in the future, as people seek to improve their health and well-being.
- However, the approval and implementation of genetically modified food-and-drink products may face opposition from various groups due to concerns regarding safety, ethics, and sustainability.
- As the technology behind gene-editing becomes more sophisticated, it will be essential for policymakers and regulatory bodies to establish clear guidelines and regulations to ensure the safety and efficacy of these products.
- The global community must remain vigilant and informed about the latest developments in CRISPR and related technologies, and engage in open dialogue to ensure the responsible and ethical use of these powerful tools in the future.
