According to the company, this marks one of the first official approvals of gene editing in commercial livestock in the U.S. However, the approval does not immediately trigger the commercial launch of these pigs in the domestic market.
A Milestone for the Swine Industry
PIC's Chief Operating Officer, Matt Culbertson, called the decision “a major milestone for consumers, farmers, and the entire pork industry.” He added, “We have spent years conducting extensive research, validating our findings, and working with the FDA to gain approval.”
Banks Baker, Global Director of Product Sustainability at PIC, emphasized that the gene-edited pigs could significantly improve animal welfare and reduce the environmental impact of pork production. “Research shows that PRRS increases the need for antibiotics by more than 200%. Additionally, a recent ISO-conformant lifecycle assessment found that eliminating PRRS could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% in the U.S.,” he said.
No Difference in Meat Quality
Despite the new disease-resistant trait, PIC clarified that pork from PRRS-resistant pigs is identical in quality to conventional pork. This was confirmed by a recent study analyzing 97 meat quality and composition metrics.
Global Outlook and Regulatory Progress
Colombia and Brazil have already issued positive determinations for the technology, treating gene-edited pigs the same as conventional animals under current regulations.
“We are committed to the responsible and intentional introduction of the PRRS-resistant pig globally,” Culbertson said. “Gaining FDA approval is a crucial step, and we’re actively working with other countries to obtain regulatory clearance and protect global trade before launching sales and distribution.”
The move is expected to have a lasting impact on disease control, sustainability, and efficiency in pork production worldwide.
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