Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) has challenged pig producers for nearly 40 years, affecting animal health and leading to productivity losses across every stage of production. PRRS causes severe respiratory distress, increased secondary infections, pregnancy loss and increased morbidity and mortality. It also has severe economic implications for producers.
In the U.S. alone, the annual cost of PRRS has risen from an estimated $664 million in 2010 to about $1.2 billion today, with outbreaks affecting growth, feed conversion, labor needs and the viability of family farms.
Genus has used gene editing to address this devastating disease and develop a PRRS-resistant pig. To breed PRRS-resistant pigs, Genus precisely deleted a portion of the gene that allows the PRRS virus to infect the pig. Without that entry point, the virus can no longer cause infection. Nothing was added to the pig’s DNA. The result is a pig that is resistant to PRRS but otherwise no different than any other pig already in the market.
The potential impact is significant: fewer animals suffering or dying prematurely, reduced need for antibiotics, stronger farm productivity, and a more resilient supply chain. As global regulatory clearances progress, PRRS-resistant pigs represent a promising example of how science can help solve one of agriculture’s most persistent disease challenges.
How gene editing can create disease-resistant pigs:
Learn how a precise gene edit can help prevent PRRS infection by removing the pathway the virus uses to enter pig cells.