British firm Genus has created pigs resistant to a deadly virus using CRISPR gene editing, and the animals are now ready for consumption after approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The initiative, which gives pigs an immunity to the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), could save $300m a year in losses caused by the virus in the US alone.
The ethical concerns related to experimenting on pigs are regarded as less serious than with other species, and financially beneficial modifications could be measured in dollars and cents.
The company still requires approval in Canada, China, Mexico and Japan before its modified pigs can be sold to pig farms, but expects to receive it within the next year.