Innovation from PIC provides solution to devastating animal disease
Research finds that consumers express support for this genetic innovation
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For decades, pig farms of all sizes, scales and types around the world have battled a widespread disease called Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), that causes animals to needlessly suffer. But there is finally a solution – the PRRS-resistant pig, a gene-editing innovation from PIC, a company with more than 60 years of responsible progress in agriculture, rooted in science.
“This isn’t a change to pork, it’s a change to how pigs are protected from a devastating animal disease,” said Matt Culbertson, PIC’s Chief Operating Officer. “By removing the one genetic spot where the PRRS virus infects the pig, we’ve helped pigs become more resilient.”
Impact of Devastating Disease
PRRS caused an estimated $1.2 billion per year in the U.S. pork industry from 2016 to 2020, an 80% increase from a decade earlier, according to recent research from Dr. Derald Holtkamp, associate professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine at Iowa State University.
And the problem is only getting worse: The second quarter of 2025 recorded the highest number of PRRS outbreaks in pigs’ most crucial growth phase since 2013, per The USDA’s Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook.
PRRS-resistant pigs are protected from this devastating disease, and by eliminating PRRS, the pork industry can achieve a reduced need for antibiotics, improved animal welfare and a reduced environmental impact.
“Nothing foreign was added and no genes were inserted, meaning this is not a GMO,” said Culbertson. “It’s a healthier pig, bred through a science-driven solution. We made the original edit more than six years ago. Since then, pigs have passed on PRRS resistance through traditional breeding, the same way I passed blue eyes on to my children.”
Consumer Support
Pig farmers have long hoped for an answer to the worsening problem of PRRS, but to understand the pork consumer perspective, PIC conducted concept testing with Circana, one of the world’s leading advisors on the complexity of consumer behavior.
Compared to the more-than 6,000 food products tested by Circana, pork from PRRS-resistant pigs received an above average purchase likelihood score, indicating positive consumer perception. In fact, females scored in the upper quintile, saying they were 90% likely to purchase to pork from PRRS-resistant pigs after learning that the taste and safety of the product are no different than any other pork.
“Circana concept testing has a 90%+ accuracy rate on consumer behavior predictions,” said Staci Covkin, Circana Principal of Innovation, Consumer and Shopper Insights. “Results show that if a concept scored in the top quintile of Circana’s normative benchmarks database, the launched concept then went on to be either a market leader or received top sales or market share. Results are validated using Circana’s point of sale data that measures how products are actually performing in market.”
The U.S. FDA approved the gene edit used to breed PRRS-resistant pigs in April 2025, while Colombia, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Argentina have issued positive determinations for PRRS-resistant pigs, meaning they recognize the pigs are not GMO, and will be regulated the same as any other pigs.
Rigorous FDA Approval Process
“Earning FDA approval was a years-long process, involving rigorous review of third-party research and multiple generations of pigs,” said Culbertson.
PRRS-resistant pigs join a growing list of FDA-approved gene edits in agriculture, and more than 40 FDA-approved gene edits for human health. There are currently more than 500 gene-edited crops in development worldwide.
Learn more at PRRSResistantPig.com.
About PIC
For more than 60 years, PIC has been delivering improved genetics and more efficient animals. Through a collaboration with university researchers, PIC developed the PRRS-resistant pig, building upon its track record of continuous improvement and innovation. PIC is a global company, operating in more than 40 countries. PIC is a subsidiary of Genus, a UK-based company with a vision to pioneer animal genetic improvement to help nourish the world. www.prrsresistantpig.com
About Genus
Genus is a world-leading animal genetics company, supplying high-quality breeding animals with desirable characteristics to farmers, and enabling them to produce better quality meat and milk more efficiently to feed the world more sustainably. PIC is the porcine division within Genus. www.genusplc.com
Media contact: Marisa Pooley
marisa.pooley@genusplc.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b3359e0-fed6-48a4-95e9-8dee0cbc035c
Research finds that consumers express support for this genetic innovation
Compared to the more-than 6,000 food products tested by Circana, pork from PRRS-resistant pigs received an above average purchase likelihood score, indicating positive consumer perception. In fact, females scored in the upper quintile, saying they were 90% likely to purchase to pork from PRRS-resistant pigs after learning that the taste and safety of the product are no different than any other pork.
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