Rolling out the PRRS-Resistant Pig is going to be a long process.
Iowa pig farmer Mike Paustian believes it’s important to introduce the technology in a thoughtful, comprehensive manner, so everyone has a chance to get their questions answered and concerns heard.
“As an industry, we need to have a conversation about whether we want to utilize this technology and how we want to utilize it,” he adds. “There is a sense of urgency that we need to, as producers, be learning more about it and understanding what it could do for our operations.”
The last thing Paustian wants to see happen is the industry loses access to this gene-editing technology.
“We’re talking about the PRRS-Resistant Pig right now,” he says. “But there are so many other things that we can do with the technology that could benefit the industry and help us meet some of the challenges that we’re facing.”
That’s why he is focused on helping people understand the technology.
“As a recovering science nerd, I did animal disease research while pursuing my Ph.D. in microbiology before I came back to the farm,” Paustian says. “I understand the potential of gene-editing technology. I want to help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and how to actually do this within the pork industry, and then reach consumers to help them understand how this technology can benefit them, as well.”
Paustian believes mistakes were made when genetically modified crops were rolled out years ago. He doesn’t want to see that happen with PIC’s PRRS-Resistant Pig technology.
“We’re still dealing with the fallout because consumers were not in the loop of things,” he points out. “GMO crops were marketed to producers and producers made a business decision that, ‘Hey, this solves a problem. The price is reasonable and I’m going to have a return on my investment if I buy these genetically modified seeds, so I’m all in.’ But nobody took it to the next step and said, ‘Well, how does everybody else feel about this?’”
It’s one thing when you are making a business decision for your farm, he says. But, it’s another thing entirely when people are making a decision about the food people eat. That’s why he is focused on helping people understand the technology.
A Sustainable Solution
For Paustian, it’s all about meeting consumers where they are and helping them see how this technology can help address some of their concerns about food.
“Consumers don’t care whether a producer is making money or not, whether we’re talking about pork producers, crop farmers or people raising alpacas,” he says. “To say the gene-edited pig could help a producer be more profitable doesn’t resonate, or could even resonate negatively, with a consumer. But, if you approach it from a different standpoint, such as gene editing making a pig resistant to a disease like porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), resulting in the use of fewer antibiotics, now that’s something consumers care about.”
Matt Culbertson, chief operating officer at PIC, says the industry is entering the final chapter of the story before the opportunity to commercialize pig genetics that are resistant to PRRS. These pigs were developed utilizing non-transgenic gene editing to de-activate a specific gene, CD163, that exists in the pig and allows PRRS infection to occur.
Around the globe, the pork industry is continually challenged to do more with less and meet consumers’ evolving expectations for agriculture and protein production. That’s why Culbertson is so excited about the potential of the PRRS-Resistant Pig.
“The PRRS-Resistant Pig can improve the sustainability and efficiency of pork production for our customers in a way that aligns with the evolving expectations of the food chain – specifically increased sustainability, decreased need of antibiotic use and improved animal health and well-being,” Culbertson says.
Still, questions remain about the PRRS-Resistant Pig that is currently under FDA review. This technology has not been approved yet and is currently not for sale.
Based on initial studies evaluating the impact of PRRS-resistant technology and industry studies looking at the impact of PRRS in a herd, Banks Baker, global director, product sustainability for PIC, expects an overall improvement to herd health without PRRS.
“We expect the PRRS-Resistant Pig to lower input costs and allow operations to be more sustainable, in addition to mitigating the risk of PRRS. This technology can also provide animal welfare and environmental benefits Baker says. “With this absolute solution to a devastating problem, it’s also our hope that it increases labor efficiencies, while making the farm a more enjoyable place to work.”
When Will the PRRS-Resistant Pig Be Available?
The most commonly asked question is simple – when? Although that is an important question, the answer isn’t that simple.
“Producers need to understand that none of this gene-editing technology is going to move forward until all the ducks are in a row. And there’s a lot of ducks to get in a row,” Paustian says.
While PIC anticipates FDA approval in 2025, they do not plan to commercialize in the U.S. until at least 2026.
From packers to consumers and from producers to exporters, one of the key steps in this process is gaining market acceptance and understanding.
“It’s not going to be a case of people start to raise them, and then they try to figure it out. Nobody’s going to have a gene-edited pig until the proper approvals are in place and we’re getting the appropriate feedback from folks that it’s going to be accepted,” Paustian says. “Nobody’s going to wake up some morning and be like, ‘Hey, guess what, there’s gene-edited pork on the shelf.’ It’s not going to be a surprise.”
The introduction of the PRRS-Resistant Pig will happen gradually over time, giving pork producers and the global marketplace time to adjust accordingly, Baker points out.
“Some people fear they will see a glut of pigs on the market, like this is going to change the market overnight. That’s not the way that our technology works. It’s important to remember that this isn’t like a pharmaceutical product, where you can have immediate coverage in a very short amount of time. This is a genetic improvement that you have to push through breeding populations,” Baker says.
He expects producer adoption of the PRRS-Resistant Pig technology to be a slow ramp up. As producers begin to utilize the technology, it will be like a dimmer switch – not a light switch that suddenly comes on. It will take several years to get there, Baker says.
“We anticipate that the PRRS-Resistant Pig could take up to five years for the breed-up process to go into commercial herds,” Baker says. “And that’s assuming that there would be normal replacement rates. It’s going to take several years to roll out across global markets.”
Acceptance and Approvals
PIC is currently working to secure approval and market acceptance for the PRRS-Resistant Pig in the U.S. and other key pork-producing countries such as Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and more. Each country has a unique regulatory system and biotechnology policies that will affect the approval process and the timeline.
“PIC recognizes that international trade is critical to pork producers and the pork industry’s viability. We’re committed to responsible stewardship of this technology to protect those critical trade relationships, and the global pork import-export markets,” Baker says.
The company anticipates a series of regulatory decisions over the next few years, including an expected decision from the FDA sometime in 2025. Receiving a regulatory determination or approval is a critical first step, Baker says. But it doesn’t automatically trigger sales to that particular country.
“Regulatory decisions are important milestones. We also recognize the importance of earning market acceptance for our PRRS-Resistant Pig and the resulting products,” Baker says.
Regulation of genetically engineered animals is important to assure that the targeted modification will not compromise the health or welfare of the animals, public health/safety, and/or safety to the environment, says Anna Forseth, DVM, director of animal health for the National Pork Producers Council.
“There is also an advantage with regards to consumer acceptance of the products,” Forseth adds. “In a recent Food Marketing Institute survey evaluating consumer attitudes, trust and acceptance of bioengineered and gene-edited food, the results showed that federal agencies including USDA, FDA and UN FAO are the most trusted organizations for information. Regulation should not be a barrier, because this technology has a lot of potential, but is necessary for many reasons and audiences.”
There is no question that consumer acceptance is key.
“Independent research shows us that consumers increasingly care about how their pork is being produced. So, as we’re completing credible and defensible research that allow us to express those production efficiencies that a producer is able to achieve through this technology, we’re trying to express it in ways that align with the consumer, packer, processor, food service and retail segments,” Baker says.
The consumer has been really clear, especially in the U.S., about what they care about.
“We need to make sure we connect the production efficiency of the PRRS-Resistant Pig with those things they care about: reduced need for antibiotic use, a reduced greenhouse gas footprint associated with that meat product, better animal welfare and an improved environment for farm workers,” he says. “Consumer research conducted by Circana in 2023 shows that 72% of consumers like the idea of gene-edited pork when they are presented with the benefits.”
Transparency Matters
In addition, PIC is developing a strategic rollout plan to ensure the PRRS-Resistant Pig and resulting pork products are sold only in countries where they meet those local regulations.
“We’re at the very early stages right now, which is good because we have time to take a proactive approach with this. We don’t have to be reactive. We’ve got a lot of time for people to get their questions answered. We have a lot of time to get the regulatory issues sorted out. And we have a lot of time to start to talk to consumers about this,” Baker says.
Will Mike Paustian ever use a gene-edited pig on his farm? He’s honestly not sure. But one thing he is sure of, gene editing is a tool that the pork industry needs in its toolbox.
Read More:
What Does the Future Hold for the PRRS-Resistant Pig?
Growing Losses from PRRS Cost Pork Producers $1.2 Billion Per Year
