FDA approves gene-edited pigs for human consumption in the U.S.
The pigs are developed to resist a major swine disease are cleared for the food supply. The first commercial sales are expected in the U.S. by 2026.
USA – In a first-of-its-kind decision, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the commercial production and sale of CRISPR-edited pigs for food use.
The pigs, developed by the Pig Improvement Company (PIC), have been genetically altered to resist porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a virus that causes widespread losses in the pork sector.
PRRS has long challenged pig farmers due to its effects on breeding and the survival of young animals, with losses in the U.S. alone estimated at around US$560 million (USD) each year.
To create resistance, scientists at PIC used the CRISPR gene-editing tool to remove a specific cell receptor that the PRRS virus uses to infect pigs.
Following this change, the pigs are able to avoid nearly all currently known forms of the virus, offering a potential shift in how the industry handles disease prevention.
With FDA approval now in place, PIC can move forward with breeding the animals for consumption, ensuring the resistance trait is passed down through future generations.
Despite the genetic modification, the FDA found no difference between these pigs and conventional ones in terms of food safety or sensory qualities like taste and texture.
PIC’s pigs represent the latest example of how gene-editing technologies are moving beyond the lab and into the food supply chain.
Regulatory pathway and global plans
Although genetically modified animals have been approved for food before — such as Revivicor’s Galsafe pigs in 2020 — this is the first time pigs engineered specifically for disease resistance are being cleared for the market.
PIC has indicated that, while it begins preparations for commercial rollout in the U.S., it is also pursuing similar regulatory clearance in countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China.
The company expects commercial distribution in the U.S. to begin by 2026, marking a timeline that aligns with breeding cycles and supply chain readiness.
PIC Chief Operating Officer Matt Culbertson said the company has spent several years conducting trials and working closely with regulators before receiving final approval.
With this decision, gene-edited animals are taking a more visible role in livestock production systems aimed at addressing health and efficiency challenges.
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