Gene-edited pigs have been approved for US market
2nd May 2025
The use of a gene-editing technology that makes pigs resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) has been approved in the US for its food supply chain.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the technology by animal genetics company Genus.
The infection, which causes fever, respiratory distress, and premature births, costs the 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, the company said.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s 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.
Supported by Edinburgh Innovations (EI), the University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation service, the team collaborated with Genus, who also licensed novel technologies from other institutions, 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.
‘Milestone in use of gene editing’
Professor Bruce Whitelaw of the Roslin Institute said: “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.”
Jorgen Kokke, CEO of Genus, added that the FDA approval is a “fantastic” achievement for the company and represents a major step towards US commercialisation.
Dr Susan Bodie, EI’s head of business development at the University of Edinburgh’s College of Medicine and Vet Medicine, concluded: “This is a very exciting development in translating cutting-edge research into a major solution for the food production industry.
“Gene editing – making targeted changes to DNA in a lab – allows scientists to rapidly introduce beneficial traits in plants and animals, which can take decades to achieve through traditional breeding programmes.
“EI is proud to support Roslin Institute researchers to work with industry on pioneering world-changing animal bioscience like this.”
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