I am taking a few days off with my family to visit friends, hit the beach, hunt for fossils, and check out some museums. While I am gone, I thought you might like to check out a post from the past:
I came across an article in our local paper this past weekend (the Atlanta Journal Constitution) that was all about genetically engineered foods. (you can see the entire article HERE). I had heard about some of the issues already…genetically engineered salmon that grows faster, fruits that contain vaccines, corn that is resistant to drought, etc. But, I came across a term I had never seen before: Enviropig. Posts feature partner companies & may be sponsored. Post contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
According to wikipedia, the enviropig is: “the trademark for a genetically modified line of Yorkshire pigs with the capability to digest plant phosphorus more efficiently than ordinary unmodified pigs that was developed at the University of Guelph.
Enviropigs produce the enzyme phytase in the salivary glands that is secreted in the saliva. When cereal grains are consumed, the phytase mixes with feed in the pig’s mouth, and once swallowed the phytase is active in the acidic environment of the stomach degrading indigestible phytic acid with the release of phosphate that is readily digested by the pig.”
Basically, someone figured out how to genetically manipulate pigs so they can be fed less grain and their poop will not pollute the environment as much. Sounds like a good thing, right? Lets look at it this way:
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PIGS ARE OMNIVORES: they are supposed to be foraging for their food. The natural diet of a pig should include: leaves, grass, roots, fruits, insects, worms, trees, bark, and flowers. NOT JUST GRAIN
Pigs are not supposed to live packed into cages so that their poop has no where to go and can’t be broken down naturally.
So, I’m not sure whether to be disgusted at the horrid state of factory farming in this country or to be happy that the poop will be less of a contamination in our environment. I think both!
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire and has worked in cancer research, academics, and biotechnology. Concern over the growing incidence of human disease and the birth of her children led her to begin living a more natural life. She quickly realized that the information she was learning along the way could be beneficial to many others and started blogging and freelance writing to share this knowledge with others. Learn more about her HERE.
WOW… Double WOW!!! Very interesting post.. to say the least.. bwahahahaha.. Coming by to check out your blog.. n thank you for the follow.. We are now following back.. Looking forward to reading more.. (= Have a great weekend..
Heyy! I would follow you back, but I’m already a follower!
And I agree with you about the pigs.. it’s pretty sad that humans have done this. And now humans are playing god by genetically modifying plants and animals. Its just not right. 🙁
http://yourworkistodiscoveryourworld.blogspot.com/
I ma so glad you stopped by my blog because I absolutely LOVE yours!
I am trying to be more eco friendly. I am really looking forward to moving to my house in 2 weeks where I will be able to do a lot more eco friendly things. 🙂
I’ll be following you with interest! 🙂
Also wanted to add I am disgusted by the pig thing. I signed the petition against the salmons and have sent letters to my local politicians against GM foods.
My husband and I have discussed renovating and selling our house to buy acerage and farm our own animals, especially pigs. I know it is hard work, but at least we’d know what we were eating (although, I have cut back on meat majorly!) We’d farm enough to sell as well.
I just can’t believe we as consumers put up with this sort of thing.
I am lucky that I found a source of local heritage pork that is pasture raised. At least, for now…the county is in the process of taking the farm via eminent domain to expand a highway. Stupid politicians!
It could just be the vegetarian in me speaking, but I find it SO odd that instead of simply cutting back on industrialized pig farming, we’d rather genetically engineer slightly less pollutant pigs. It seems like we and the planet would all be a lot healthier if we got back to the mostly plant-based diets we used to follow and ditched the industrial agriculture system.
Jennifer, I agree with you! Meat is not supposed to be a main portion of our diet. As Michae Pollan said…”Eat Food, not too much, mostly plants”
Diane, I’m agreeing with you!!!
I’m a bit torn by this!! (not your post, but the genetically modifying and pig farming)..
The whole clean poop is kinda 6 in one hand and half a dozen in the other, for me!! haha!
🙂
what amazes me is that they think it is easier to genetically modify an animal than to just feed it and raise it the way nature intended!