Image via WikipediaIf it smells like a pig, looks like a pig, sounds like a pig, eats like a pig then its a pig... rings true in all cases except in the case of Enviropig. Enviropig is a leap in biotechnology which combines an enzyme genome found in the bacterium E. Coli and mouse DNA to produce an altered pig that can digest phosphorus which is contained in the corn, barley and cereals that comprise its diet. "Ordinary" pigs cannot digest phosphorus therefore high levels of phosphorus is found in pig waste which at the industrial levels at which pigs are farmed increases the risk of phosphorus entering the rivers, lakes and watercourses. Phosphorus entering into inland fresh watercourses stimulates the growth of algae which depletes the oxygen in water killing fish and other aquatic life.
The phenomena of aquatic dead zones has resulted in stringent environmental regulation being applied to pig farming with the US adopting a "zero discharge" policy allowing no nitrogen or phosphorus run off from farming operations. Farmers attempts comply with environmental regulation by introducing phytase as a dietary supplement to reduce the phosphorus content in pig excrement in conjunction with the containment and treatment of pig waste has contributed little benefit for the level of investment accrued, making the development of Enviropig a welcomed breath of fresh air.
Our planet's population currently stands at 7 billion inhabitants depending on your religious persuasion or vegetarian dietary preference that leaves just over 6 billion human beings that would include pork, ham and bacon in their diet. Therefore Enviropig can contribute to the mitigation of environmental impact, however is it necessary to farm pigs at our current industrial levels? or should we adopt a balanced diet that includes mainly vegetables, fruit and other plant food as it will help save our planet and is good for our health?
If Enviropig is to become the pig of the future will "ordinary" pigs be relegated to zoos or altogether eliminated by an industrial breeding program? Are we entering into a much larger Orwellian phase of human existence where "All pigs are equal but Enviropig is more equal than others". Can Enviropig fly?
The phenomena of aquatic dead zones has resulted in stringent environmental regulation being applied to pig farming with the US adopting a "zero discharge" policy allowing no nitrogen or phosphorus run off from farming operations. Farmers attempts comply with environmental regulation by introducing phytase as a dietary supplement to reduce the phosphorus content in pig excrement in conjunction with the containment and treatment of pig waste has contributed little benefit for the level of investment accrued, making the development of Enviropig a welcomed breath of fresh air.
Our planet's population currently stands at 7 billion inhabitants depending on your religious persuasion or vegetarian dietary preference that leaves just over 6 billion human beings that would include pork, ham and bacon in their diet. Therefore Enviropig can contribute to the mitigation of environmental impact, however is it necessary to farm pigs at our current industrial levels? or should we adopt a balanced diet that includes mainly vegetables, fruit and other plant food as it will help save our planet and is good for our health?
If Enviropig is to become the pig of the future will "ordinary" pigs be relegated to zoos or altogether eliminated by an industrial breeding program? Are we entering into a much larger Orwellian phase of human existence where "All pigs are equal but Enviropig is more equal than others". Can Enviropig fly?
Lot of the phosphor is needed for growing plants. A better containment of the manure would be the most logical way to prevent the leakage of the phosphor into the environment.
ReplyDeleteBTW most algae do produce oxygen. It is when those die, it releases the toxic substance again. And a lot algae will catch away most light used by other plants to produce. So these will die too.
Next thing, if the pigs digest the phosphor, where does it end up then? In the pigs? In the humans eating pigs? At end of lifetime it will be released again.