Greenlighting of AquAdvantage salmon could ‘pave the way’ to disease resistant pigs and other GMO animals

[In March 2019], the Food and Drug Administration cleared the last hurdle for the genetically engineered “AquaAdvantage” salmon—the first (and only) genetically modified animal to make it to grocery stores in North America. The fish grows twice as fast as its unmodified peers, and, after 20 years in regulatory limbo, it will soon be sold in the United States.

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Developers hope the salmon can pave the way for the next generation of genetically modified animals—some of which have already been created, but have stalled under federal regulations. Scientists have designed pigs resistant to disease and cows without horns. But under current FDA rules, the American public would wait years to see (or eat) the results.

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Politico reported that industry groups want to hand the [regulatory] reins over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has had a quicker regulatory path. Geneticists also note that there’s no reason for genetically edited plants and animals to be regulated differently; there are already 10 genetically modified crops produced in the U.S., all safe for consumption. Now, the geneticists ask: Why not pigs too?

Read full, original article: DISEASE-RESISTANT PIGS ARE HERE. WHY AREN’T WE EATING THEM?