A UK company has already been successful with experimenting on gene-editing pigs in a bid to battle the deadly virus known as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome
By Adam Cailler
Journalist
28 FEB 2024
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Genetically modified virus-resistant pigs could be set to fill supermarket shelves soon, experts have claimed.
A UK company is behind a gene editing experiment of pigs with the hope of eliminating the impact of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome that kill thousands of pigs per year.
And having so far proven to be relatively successful, it could soon mean that the gene-edited swines might be heading towards our shelves soon – with an eye on other livestock being used in a similar way in the near future.
Genetically modified virus-resistant pigs could be set to fill supermarket shelves soon, experts have claimed.
A UK company is behind a gene editing experiment of pigs with the hope of eliminating the impact of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome that kill thousands of pigs per year.
And having so far proven to be relatively successful, it could soon mean that the gene-edited swines might be heading towards our shelves soon – with an eye on other livestock being used in a similar way in the near future.
Gene-edited pigs could soon be on our supermarket shelves (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Genus PLC – which sells genetically superior breeding pigs and semen to farmers so they can breed commercial pigs with desirable characteristics for pork production – is now waiting for the United States Food and Drug Administration to formally approve the pigs for widespread human consumption, which it's hoped will happen this year.
A new study from the company claims that they have “produced healthy pigs that resisted PRRS virus infection as determined by macrophage and animal challenges”. They added: ”This founder population will be used for additional disease and trait testing, multiplication and commercial distribution upon regulatory approval.
“Gene editing holds great promise for combating disease and improving both human and animal health. Crop and livestock breeders can now incorporate . . . a tool to address present and emerging diseases and ensure food security. This is a ground-breaking accomplishment in agriculture toward improving animal health, reducing waste, lowering production costs, and potentially reducing antibiotic use on the farm.
A new study from the company claims that they have “produced healthy pigs that resisted PRRS virus infection as determined by macrophage and animal challenges”. They added: ”This founder population will be used for additional disease and trait testing, multiplication and commercial distribution upon regulatory approval.
“Gene editing holds great promise for combating disease and improving both human and animal health. Crop and livestock breeders can now incorporate . . . a tool to address present and emerging diseases and ensure food security. This is a ground-breaking accomplishment in agriculture toward improving animal health, reducing waste, lowering production costs, and potentially reducing antibiotic use on the farm.
Testing has so far proven to be successful (stock) (Image: Getty Images)
“Further, applying these learnings to eliminate other livestock diseases that are not only harmful to animals (African Swine Fever) but also to humans (swine influenza) would be a major step to benefit consumers, society, and the environment.”
“Further, applying these learnings to eliminate other livestock diseases that are not only harmful to animals (African Swine Fever) but also to humans (swine influenza) would be a major step to benefit consumers, society, and the environment.”
Alison Van Eenennaam, an animal geneticist at the University of California told Science.org: “There’s no point having a pig getting sick and dying if there’s an approach to genetically prevent it from doing so.”
It is thought that should FDA approval come this year, then the meat could be available to by in the US and UK soon after. The Daily Star has reached out to several UK supermarkets to see if they would be willing to see gene-edited pork products.
It is thought that should FDA approval come this year, then the meat could be available to by in the US and UK soon after. The Daily Star has reached out to several UK supermarkets to see if they would be willing to see gene-edited pork products.
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