GMO Omega-3 Ham - or is it Pig-trout?
Scientists engineer omega-3 pigs
From correspondents in Washington
March 27, 2006
This article explains that US scientists said today they had genetically engineered pigs that make beneficial fatty acids and may one day serve as a healthier source of pork chops or bacon.
The pigs produced omega-3 fatty acids, compounds that have been shown to improve cardiac function and reduce the risk of heart disease in people.
The only way now for humans to get omega-3s is through taking dietary supplement pills or by eating certain fish. Some fish, however, may have high levels of toxic mercury.
Seeking another source of omega-3s, researchers transferred a worm gene called fat-1 into pig cells in a laboratory. They used cloning technology to create embryonic cells that were implanted into the womb of a normal pig.
The gene produced an enzyme that converted the less desirable omega-6 fatty acids that the pigs naturally produced into omega-3s, the researchers wrote in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
More at The Australian
But see also here.
Labels: Healthy fats, Nutrition
posted by GMO Pundit @ 8:16 AM
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2 Comments:
This study rases some intersting questions. Would getting the fatty acids in meat be the same as getting them in fish? And is it really such a good idea to put omega-3's into foods like pork that contain saturated fats and cholesterol, which could increase risk of heart disease?
It is good to see that the Omega-3 enhanced GM pigs will be bred and the offspring offered for further studies by food scientists interested in these questions.
Has anybody heard much about the encorporation of capsulated omega three into processed meats like a low inject quality ham?
Does anyone believe there is a market for this?
Pat
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