The FDA Just Approved the First CRISPR-Edited Pigs for Food

The FDA approved PIC's gene-edited pigs, engineered to combat porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), allowing them to be consumed by humans. These pigs have a mutation that renders them resistant to most PRRS strains, which can kill young pigs or cause reproductive failure in breeding pigs, causing significant economic loss globally. The pigs are bred using early embryo editing, ensuring the mutation is inherited across generations without affecting taste or safety compared to unmodified pigs. PIC's approach could pave the way for other meat products engineered for disease resistance and safety after overcoming regulatory hurdles.