Gene-edited Pigs Immune to PRRS Set to Revolutionize Farming

Genetically modified pigs, resistant to a deadly virus, could hit the market next year, promising to save billions in losses.

US farmers may soon raise pigs genetically edited to be immune to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), potentially saving $2.7 billion annually.
CRISPR technology has been used to edit pig genes, making them resistant to PRRS by removing a specific protein that the virus uses to infect.
The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the sale of these gene-edited pigs as early as next year, with global regulatory approvals also being pursued.
Animal rights groups criticize the approach, arguing it perpetuates unethical livestock conditions and overlooks the root cause of such diseases.
Experts caution that while this innovation could reduce antibiotic use and production costs, it might not address the broader issue of disease emergence in intensive farming systems.