National Pork Board For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration approved for food and human therapeutics on Monday a genomic alteration in domestic pigs that prevents them from producing a sugar that can cause allergic reactions in some people. “A tremendous milestone for scientific innovation,” said FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn. The intentional genomic alteration (IGA) in the so-called GalSafe pigs is intended to eliminate alpha-gal sugar on the surface of pig cells. People with Alpha-gal syndrome may have mild to severe allergic reactions to the sugar found in red meat. Also called red-meat allergy, Alpha-gal syndrome may be triggered by bites from the lone star or black-legged tick and can be life-threatening, says the CDC. Most of the reported cases are among people living in the U.S. Southeast.
FDA approves first IGA in GalSafe pigs for human food, promising therapeutic uses
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a first-of-its-kind intentional genomic alteration (IGA) in a line of domestic pigs, referred to as GalSafe pigs, which may be used for food or human therapeutics.
This is the first IGA in an animal that the FDA has approved for both human food consumption and as a source for potential therapeutic uses. The IGA in GalSafe pigs is intended to eliminate alpha-gal sugar on the surface of the pigs cells.
People with Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) may have mild to severe allergic reactions to alpha-gal sugar found in red meat (e.g., beef, pork, and lamb).
December 14, 2020
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a first-of-its-kind intentional genomic alteration (IGA) in a line of domestic pigs, referred to as GalSafe pigs, which may be used for food or human therapeutics. This is the first IGA in an animal that the FDA has approved for both human food consumption and as a source for potential therapeutic uses. The IGA in GalSafe pigs is intended to eliminate alpha-gal sugar on the surface of the pigs’ cells. People with Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) may have mild to severe allergic reactions to alpha-gal sugar found in red meat (e.g., beef, pork, and lamb).