The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a genetically modified pig to be used as food and for medical products. The pig is genetically engineered to remove a sugar found on the surface of cells in many animals. The sugar, called alpha-gal, can cause allergic reactions in some people. The substance is used in many products, including medicines, food and cosmetics. The American company behind the pig is United Therapeutics Corporation. It plans to develop medical products, such as blood thinners, that will not cause allergic reactions, company spokesman Dewey Steadman said. There are also plans for the pig, called GalSafe, to be sold as food. Steadman, however, said the company does not know when it might be able to secure an agreement with a meat producer to process and sell it.