Pigs are seen at a hog pen in Jiaxing, eastern China's Zhejiang province, in this September 16,2006 file photo. (Photo : Reuters)
Reports claim that biotech scientists are working hard in order get their genetically-modified pigs approved after the Food and Drug Administration released a ruling that allowed salmons to be genetically-engineered in order to grow twice as fast as it naturally would.
Scientists from the University of Edinburg's Roslin Institute claim that they were able to produce pigs that are resistant to swine fever. Scientists claim that they were able to achieve the feat through genetic mutation.
Scientists at the Roslin Institute said that what drove them to genetically modify the pigs is the fact that there are no drugs or treatment for swine fever.
Roslin Institute head of development biology Professor Bruce Whitelaw told Fox Business, "The only treatment is to kill them and it's a huge problem. An outbreak can really impact the pig industry. GM animals will help with some of that concern and make animals more resistant."
Professor Whitelaw added that he used a technique called gene-editing. It involves flipping the genetic code of pigs in order to make their immune system replicate that of a warthog's, an African wild pig which is more resistant to swine fever.
Following FDA's approval of selling genetically modified salmons, several retailers expressed their disapproval by refusing to sell genetically modified products. The list of retailers includes Costco, Target, Safeway, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.
Only genetically modified salmons from AquaBounty Technologies are allowed by the FDA to be legally sold in the United States, according to The New York Times.
