For the first time in medical history, intentional genomic alteration in animals has received regulatory approval. Read the article to know about the approval and its benefits to medicine. The USFDA has approved first-of-its-kind intentional genomic alteration (IGA) in animals. The approval is granted for IGA in GalSafe pigs, used for consumption as food or human therapeutics. The IGS involves the elimination of alpha-gal sugar from the surface of specific cells in pigs.
Such an alteration will allow people with alpha-gal sugar syndrome to consume red meat. Additionally, the porcine-based materials produced from the genetically modified pigs will allow manufacturing alpha-gal sugar-free medical products, such as heparin. Tissues from these pigs can help avoid immune rejection in patients undergoing xenotransplants. The approval was granted after evaluating the safety of genetic…
