Experts Highlight Benefits and Safety of PRRS-Resistant Pigs at a UPLB Seminar

"Meat from gene-edited pigs is the same as meat from non-edited pigs," said Dr. Elena Rice, Genus PLC's Chief Scientific Officer and Head of R&D, at the Genus PLC Seminar on Gene-Edited Pigs held at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Institute of Animal Science (IAS) on June 18, 2026. The seminar is in collaboration with Genus PLC and PIC (Pig Improvement Company) Philippines.

Dr. Rice said that Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is a global problem that has affected millions of producers in the swine industry for more than three decades. To address this, Genus PLC, through its porcine genetics division, developed gene-edited pigs designed to be resistant to the devastating PRRS virus. Dr. Rice emphasized that there were no differences observed between the gene-edited and control pigs in terms of performance, meat quality, and meat composition.

Dr. Clint Nesbitt, Director of Global Regulatory Affairs at Genus PLC, said that the PRRS-resistant pigs received approval and non-GMO determination in the United States, Canada, Colombia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Argentina, and Uruguay. He added that they are still seeking approvals from China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Mr. Reimond Corona, Project Senior Technical Specialist at the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP), said that the Philippines is developing regulatory guidelines for the determination of gene-edited animals. The draft policy will provide clarity and ensure safeguards for human and animal health and the environment. Mr. Corona added that the regulatory status under this policy is based on the characteristics of the final product, and not on the breeding technique used.

Watch the recorded seminar on the Facebook Page of the UPLB Institute of Animal Science.