The National Pork Producers Council submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration regarding gene edited livestock. NPPC noted that the FDA has dragged its feet on the development of gene edited livestock and as a result the U.S. is falling behind other countries who are advancing with it. Nebraska Pork Producers Association Executive Director Al Juhnke says gene editing is important not only for livestock but also for battling diseases effecting humans.
He says there are several gene editing benefits in battling diseases.
There is a recently proposed rule that would transfer primary regulatory jurisdiction of gene-edited livestock away from FDA and over to USDA. Juhnke says that would make sense.
NPPC says gene editing will allow the U.S. to produce animals that are more disease resistant, require fewer antibiotics and with a smaller environmental footprint.
