Source: Farm.com
The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has awarded $5 million to UC Davis to establish an Animal and Veterinary Innovation Center focused on gene editing in livestock. This initiative is part of a broader effort to advance regulatory science, improve animal health, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Led by Dr. Elizabeth Maga and a team of researchers, the center will study Intentional Genomic Alterations (IGAs) in pigs, sheep, and cattle, ensuring gene-edited animals are safe for human consumption. Key research goals include evaluating gene editing accuracy, its durability across generations, and adapting biomedical gene-editing technologies for agriculture.
The project aligns with the FDA’s Animal and Veterinary Innovation Agenda (AVIA) and aims to reduce disease reliance on antibiotics and enhance food production efficiency. Collaborating institutions include Kansas State, Texas A&M, and Purdue University, reinforcing the growing role of biotechnology in sustainable livestock management.