Farms.com Home   News

Pigging Out on Genetically Modified Pork


Genetically engineered pork may one day become a part of your local grocer's food list. But who's to decide whether or not this product should be on the shelves?

It's a question before officials in both Canada and the U.S., thanks to Canadian researchers who have developed a genetically modified pig which they want to breed commercially for human consumption. It is, however, a controversial topic.

At the centre of the furor, a line of pigs known as the "Enviropig." The scientist who developed it, the University of Guelph's Dr. Cecil Forsberg, explains that it is more environmentally friendly than your average pig because it uses phosphorus more efficiently. "Because of this characteristic, the manure contains anywhere from 30 to 65 per cent less phosphorus, and as a consequence, that manure is less polluting," says Forsberg.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

Measuring Methane Emissions From Cattle with Unique Technologies

Video: Measuring Methane Emissions From Cattle with Unique Technologies

PhD Student Madison Kindberg, and Air Quality Specialist and Professor, Dr. Frank Mitloehner explain the unique Cattle Pen Enclosures and how they will capture emissions from cattle using state of the art technology. The enclosures are well equipped with one-way airflow fans, smart scales, and smart feeds that can tell you what an animal ate, when they ate and how much they ate. All enclosures are connected to one mobile air quality lab which uses gas monitors and analyzers to collect precision data. This data will be used to determine if an early-life methane reducing bolus can reduce emissions from cattle long-term.