(NaturalHealth365)  The world’s first gene-edited pigs designed for human consumption just received FDA approval.  While supporters hail this as a breakthrough in agriculture, critics worry about the long-term consequences of permanently altering our food supply.

This approval signals a new era in biotechnology that could transform farming forever or create unforeseen problems we’re unprepared to handle.  Although these CRISPR-modified animals are immune to a costly disease, what does this mean for consumers who may unknowingly eat them next year?

When factory farm problems meet gene-editing solutions

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) has been the bane of industrial pig farming since the 1980s.  This nasty respiratory virus kills piglets, causes fever and breathing problems, and costs the U.S. pork industry over $300 million annually.  The virus spreads easily in crowded factory farms and mutates so quickly that vaccines can’t keep up.

Enter Genus, a British biotech company, with a radical solution.  Using CRISPR gene-editing “scissors,” they’ve created pigs essentially immune to PRRS.  The team edited pig embryos to remove the cellular receptor that the virus uses to enter cells.  No receptor, no infection – it’s that simple, at least in theory.

The FDA’s approval means these genetically altered animals can now reproduce and pass their edited genes to offspring.  It’s a historic moment that puts gene-edited meat on track to reach American dinner tables sometime next year.

The technology behind your future bacon

CRISPR technology allows scientists to make precise cuts in DNA, removing or modifying specific genes.  Unlike earlier genetic modification techniques that often inserted foreign genes from other species, CRISPR works with an animal’s existing DNA.

The pig project bears an unsettling resemblance to the infamous CRISPR babies born in China in 2018.  In that controversial case, scientist He Jiankui edited twin girls’ embryos to be resistant to HIV, also by removing a cellular receptor.  The international outcry was swift and severe – Jiankui was imprisoned and his work condemned as unethical human experimentation.

But pigs aren’t people, and the ethical calculations are different.  The potential benefits include reduced antibiotic use in livestock production.  Here’s how this works: PRRS suppresses pigs’ immune systems, making them more vulnerable to bacterial infections that require antibiotic treatment.  If pigs can resist PRRS, they theoretically won’t need as many antibiotics for secondary infections.  This could be significant with growing concerns about antibiotic resistance spreading from farm animals to humans.

What could go wrong?

Critics aren’t convinced this genetic fix will last.  GMWatch, a watchdog organization, warns that viruses are notorious for finding ways around barriers.

The concern is that PRRS will likely evolve to overcome the genetic resistance, potentially creating even more virulent strains.  One retired University of Minnesota veterinarian cautioned, “There is no silver bullet when it comes to PRRS.”

Gene editing in animals has also produced unexpected consequences in other experiments.  Previous attempts have resulted in unintended side effects like enlarged tongues and extra vertebrae.  Often, scientists don’t fully understand a gene’s complete function until they start messing with it.

No labels, no choice?

Here’s something that might surprise you: Genus says gene-edited pork won’t require special labeling.  Matt Culbertson, the company’s chief operating officer, told MIT Technology Review, “We aren’t aware of any labeling requirement.”

This means consumers could be eating gene-edited pork without knowing it.  The Center for Food Safety is pushing for stricter regulations and labeling requirements, arguing that people have a right to know what they’re eating and make informed choices.

The lack of transparency is particularly frustrating given that the previous attempt at commercializing genetically engineered animals – AquaBounty’s fast-growing salmon – ultimately failed in the marketplace, partly due to consumer resistance.

A growing trend or a scientific dead end?

These pigs join a very short list of gene-edited animals approved for human consumption.  Besides the now-defunct AquaBounty salmon, there are only GalSafe pigs (modified for people with alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy) and some gene-edited cattle with shorter coats still awaiting full approval.

The FDA is doubling down on this technology, recently establishing Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers focused on genetic alterations for “agricultural resilience.”  They’re funding research on gene-edited chickens resistant to bird flu and various modifications to major livestock species.

Whether gene-edited livestock will revolutionize food production or join AquaBounty salmon in the failed experiment pile remains to be seen.  But one thing is certain – these CRISPR pigs represent a significant step toward a future where genetic engineering increasingly shapes our food.

What can you do right now?

Many people feel powerless because of the reality of unlabeled gene-edited meat potentially entering our food supply.  But there are actions you can take today:

• Look for certified organic meat, which cannot contain genetically modified organisms under current USDA standards.
• Support local farmers who practice traditional breeding methods and maintain transparency about their practices.
• Contact your representatives about labeling requirements – consumer pressure led to GMO labeling laws for crops, and the same could happen for livestock.
• Consider reducing your reliance on industrial meat altogether.  When you do choose meat, opt for quality over quantity.
• Stay informed about what’s in your food.  Read labels carefully, ask questions at farmers markets, and support organizations that advocate for food transparency and safety.

The bigger question may be whether consumers will accept this brave new world of designer livestock when they finally learn what they’re eating.  And with approval still pending in major export markets like China, Canada, Mexico, and Japan, the global success of these gene-edited pigs is far from guaranteed.

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Sources for this article include:

Nationalpigassociation.co.uk
Technologyreview.com
Childrenshealthdefense.org