The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved genetically modified pigs for food and drug use

The Associated Press reported on Dec. 16 that genetically modified pigs have been approved by regulators in the United States for use in food and medical products. However, its R&D company said it has no plans to produce and sell genetically modified pork for consumption.

According to reports, the US FDA-approved GMO pig was developed by the medical company Revivicor and is known as the "GalSafe pig". This pig has been genetically modified to eliminate the protease of alpha-gal sugar, which may cause allergic reactions in some people, so this genetically modified pork may be friendly to some people who have allergies to eating ordinary pork. The company did not say how specifically it changed the animal's DNA.

However, a company spokesperson said that the main purpose of developing this pig is to develop medical products such as blood thinners that do not cause such allergic reactions, and the ultimate goal is to solve the problem of lack of organ transplant donor organs and transplant pigs into the human body.

In fact, this is not the first time that the FDA has approved genetically modified animals. In 2009, the FDA approved genetically modified goats to produce a drug to prevent blood clots in their goat milk. In 2015, genetically modified eggs that could be used to make drugs were also approved. That same year, salmon became the first genetically modified animal to be allowed for consumption.

Upstream News Mawtan Compiled