Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

WhiteTara

(29,718 posts)
Tue Dec 15, 2020, 04:04 PM Dec 2020

FDA approves genetically engineered pigs for food and transplants

Source: Live Science

Pigs that have been genetically engineered to be free of a molecule that triggers meat allergies have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

On Monday (Dec. 14), the agency approved these swine, known as GalSafe pigs, for both human food consumption and potential therapeutic purposes, such as use in xenotransplantation (or transplants of pig tissues to people). It's the first time that a genetically engineered animal has been approved for both food and medical uses, the FDA said.

"Today's first ever approval of an animal biotechnology product for both food and as a potential source for biomedical use represents a tremendous milestone for scientific innovation," FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn, said in a statement.

Scientists have genetically altered the GalSafe pigs so they lack a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, which is normally found in the tissue of some mammals, including pigs, cows and sheep. People with a meat allergy known as alpha-gal syndrome can develop serious, life-threatening reactions if they are exposed to this molecule. It's thought that people develop this meat allergy after being bitten by certain ticks, which have alpha-gal in their saliva.

Read more: https://www.livescience.com/genetically-engineered-pigs-fda-approval.html

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
FDA approves genetically engineered pigs for food and transplants (Original Post) WhiteTara Dec 2020 OP
That is a good news story. Arne Dec 2020 #1
This reminds me of a short story by Harry Turtledove krispos42 Dec 2020 #2
Did the Rabbi figure it out? Kittycow Dec 2020 #3
Yup. krispos42 Dec 2020 #5
At least they got to try bacon...mmm Kittycow Dec 2020 #7
Square pigs? rickyhall Dec 2020 #4
Can I have one with antlers? I'd like a pet pig with antlers. tclambert Dec 2020 #6
This message was self-deleted by its author CatLady78 Dec 2020 #8
I'd like a genetically modified pig as a "pet" that I could... GReedDiamond Dec 2020 #9
I like the transplant part. CaptYossarian Dec 2020 #10
Alpha-Gal syndrome? Sounds like someone with an irrational fear of strong women usajumpedtheshark Dec 2020 #11

krispos42

(49,445 posts)
2. This reminds me of a short story by Harry Turtledove
Tue Dec 15, 2020, 05:39 PM
Dec 2020

Scientists genetically engineer a pig that chews it's cud, like a cow does. Make the pig extract more calories per pound of food. Anyway, during the press conference about it, a reporter that's Jewish asks "It is kosher, then?"

The rest of the story is about a rabbi trying to figure out if it's kosher.

krispos42

(49,445 posts)
5. Yup.
Tue Dec 15, 2020, 10:21 PM
Dec 2020

He decides it's kosher, so him and his family try some. They decided the pork and ham and bacon was tasty, but it still felt wrong.

Kittycow

(2,396 posts)
7. At least they got to try bacon...mmm
Tue Dec 15, 2020, 11:08 PM
Dec 2020

I can see how they would be feeling strange about it; I feel that way about these designer pigs

Thanks for the reply; I think I'll try to find the story!

Response to tclambert (Reply #6)

GReedDiamond

(5,313 posts)
9. I'd like a genetically modified pig as a "pet" that I could...
Wed Dec 16, 2020, 05:18 AM
Dec 2020

...keep in my apartment, kinda like my cat, but I could carve off a pork chop or rib or tenderloin or whatever I wanted, and the "pig" would grow back whatever I cut off, so I could cut it off again, in a day or two.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»FDA approves genetically ...