Genetically Modified Pigs Could Soon be on European Tables
In a groundbreaking development, the first genetically modified pig meat could soon be making its way onto the tables of Europe and beyond. British company, Genus, has successfully modified a gene in a breed of pigs to make them immune to the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (Prrs).
The company’s mission, as stated in a study published on Liebertpub, is to provide animal health benefits and meet the growing demand for accessible and high-quality proteins. By modifying the porcine CD163 gene, researchers hope to prevent annual losses estimated at around 2.7 billion dollars in the global industry due to pigs falling ill or becoming unusable.
The genetic approach involves introducing a single modified CD163 allele into four genetically diverse elite pig lines. The goal is to produce healthy and resistant pigs on a large scale, particularly in populations that are most involved in reproduction.
According to Alison Van Eenennaam, an animal geneticist at the University of California, it makes sense to genetically prevent pigs from getting sick and dying if it is possible to do so. Initial tests on four genetically modified pigs have shown promising results, with all four pigs resisting Prrs virus infections.
In the United States, the FDA could approve the first GMO pigs by the end of 2024, following in the footsteps of the approval of the first GMO salmon in 2015. However, in Europe, there are currently no examples of GMO animals intended for food use.
This breakthrough in genetic modification technology could revolutionize the livestock industry and pave the way for healthier and more sustainable meat production in the future.