A researcher in Taiwan hopes to genetically engineer pigs
that can eat wood.
He has found five genes in termites that enable them to
digest wood, has already moved them to rats born last month and figures he can then transfer the genes to pigs.
He’s already genetically engineered pigs that can eat grass, transferring genes from cows.
While he forges ahead with genetic engineering in Taiwan,
the world’s first genetically-modified pigs created at the University of Guelph
have been slaughtered and the technology is sitting on the shelf.
The Canadian pigs could bring a major environmental benefit
because they have a gene that produces an enzyme incorporated in saliva that
enables those pigs to extract phosphorous from their rations.
It means phosphorous additives can be reduced and that less
phosphorous ends up in hog manure. Great Lakes water quality is governed by
limiting the phosphorous content.
I am convinced that Canada, and the University of Guelph, are being totally eclipsed by agriculture researchers in China, and in this case, Taiwan. They realize the importance of research and innovation; our politicians, regulators and public only pay them lip service.
Tunghai University (THU) professor Cheng Teng-kuei plans to
splice the termite genes into
microbes inhabit pigs’ digestive system.
Cheng is famous for pioneering cattle cloning. Here in North America we don't allow cloning even though we have some of the world's best dairy and beef cattle on our farms.
Ironically, the U.S. horse industry has just announced that it will allow cloned horses into its registry. Soon we'll be able to race clones, bet on them, ride them, but will be denied the right to generate clones that could lower costs and prices and improve the quality of our livestock and food.
