The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved intentional genomic alteration (IGA) in a group of pigs. The pigs are called “GalSafe pigs.” Normal hogs have a sugar that surrounds their cells called an alpha-gal sugar. That sugar is the reason that people with Alpha-gal syndrome can have allergic reactions to red meat. This group of pigs is altered so they don’t have the alpha-gal sugar, which means those with Alpha-gal syndrome are able to eat the pork with out any issues.
One other opportunity that these pigs bring to the table is the potential to be used for medical products that won’t have the sugar in them. One example researchers are looking at is using the pigs for heparin, a blood-thinner. This is the first time that intentional genomic alteration in an animal has been approved by the FDA for human consumption and other uses.
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