Heritable Genetic Modification in Food Animals

A consensus study that explored Heritable Genetic Modification in Food Animals was released by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) on April 23, 2025, noting the study committee’s conclusion that overall, food derived from genome-edited animals is generally safe to eat. The committee also addressed the benefits of biotechnology to agricultural productivity and sustainability, while investigating potential risks.

Originating as Congressional mandate in 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health commissioned a study convened by NASEM.  The committee included 15 experts on animal breeding, biotechnology, food safety, and public administration drawn from the academic and public research sectors. American Society of Animal Science members on the committee included Penny Riggs (Texas A&M University) and Thomas Spencer (University of Missouri).

As part of its extensive charge, the committee was tasked with evaluating the current technologies for producing heritable genetic modification (HGM) in food animals, analytical methods for evaluating the effects of HGM, identifying knowledge gaps, and conducting a risk assessment of hazards to human and animals.

Recent examples of mammalian HGM livestock include pigs that are resistant to porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS), polled allele hornless cattle, thermotolerant “SLICK” cattle, and germline-ablated cattle, pigs, and goats. Currently, however, only genetically modified Atlantic salmon and alpha-gal-free pork products have been approved for consumption in the United States.

The committee identified numerous knowledge gaps and research priorities to be addressed over the next three to ten years.

The release of the report was accompanied by a webinar that can be accessed at the NASEM website.