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In a landmark decision, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of gene-edited pigs developed by PIC (Pig Improvement Company) for human consumption.

This approval marks a significant advancement in biotechnology, particularly in the livestock sector, as these pigs are engineered to resist porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a viral infection that has long plagued the global pork industry.

PRRS is responsible for substantial economic losses in the pork industry, with estimates suggesting a cost of approximately $560 million annually in the US alone. The disease leads to reproductive failures and high mortality rates among young pigs, creating a pressing need for effective solutions.

The gene-editing technique employed by PIC uses CRISPR to modify a receptor on pig cells that the PRRS virus targets, thereby providing these pigs with resistance to nearly all known strains of the virus.

The FDA's approval allows PIC to breed these gene-edited pigs on a commercial scale, ensuring that the genetic modifications are inherited by future generations. Importantly, the pigs are genetically indistinguishable from their unmodified counterparts in terms of taste and safety, addressing common consumer concerns regarding genetically modified organisms.

This development not only represents a technological breakthrough but also offers a more sustainable and disease-resistant source of protein, potentially transforming the pork supply chain. The simplicity and scalability of the CRISPR technique position PIC’s pigs as prime candidates for widespread adoption within the livestock industry.

While PIC's pigs are not the first genetically modified animals approved for food in the US (Revivicor’s Galsafe pigs received approval in 2020), the implications of this new approval are far-reaching. PIC is now focused on securing regulatory approvals in key international markets, including Canada, Mexico and China, with initial commercial sales expected to commence in the U.S. by 2026.

“We have spent years conducting extensive research, validating our findings and working with the FDA to gain approval,” said Matt Culbertson, PIC’s COO. “Today marks a major milestone for consumers, farmers and the entire pork industry who have desperately hoped for a solution to PRRS.”