Gene-edited pigs approved for US market

Gene-editing technology developed by Roslin scientists which makes pigs resistant to a common virus has been approved for use in the US food supply.

Pigs produced to be resistant to one of the world’s most costly livestock diseases, using technology developed by the Roslin Institute, have been approved for sale to US consumers.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a gene-editing technology that makes pigs resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) for the US food supply chain.

This landmark approval for animal genetics company Genus, following years of development, helps meet the challenge of a disease that is endemic to most pig-producing regions.

The infection, which causes fever, respiratory distress, and premature births, costs industry approximately $2.5 billion (£1.75bn) each year in lost revenue in the US and Europe alone.

The approval follows years of close collaboration with the FDA and is a significant step on the pathway to commercialisation of gene-edited pigs in the US, and other international markets.

Researchers at the Roslin Institute focused their efforts on the CD163 gene in pigs. This gene produces a receptor on the surface of cells, which the PRRS virus uses to cause infection.

Experts removed a small section of this gene, focusing on the section of the receptor that the virus attaches to, leaving the rest of the molecule intact.

The team collaborated with Genus to produce pigs with the specific DNA change.

The resulting pigs do not become infected with the virus, and the animals show no signs that the change in their DNA has had any other impact on their health or wellbeing.

“We are delighted to see the PRRS-resistant pig gene-edit approved for use - this is a milestone in the use of gene editing in livestock, and a landmark moment for the livestock industry towards managing a global disease that causes devastating losses.”

— Professor Bruce Whitelaw, Director, Roslin Institute

The Roslin Institute receives strategic investment funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and it is part of the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

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