Comments on: The omega strain

The omega strain

445supermag — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 20:55:36 -0800

Bacon as health food. Scientists have added a gene to a cloned pig that converts omega-6 fat to to the more healthy (and trendy) omega-3. Link to full Nature Biotechnology article (may need subscription).

By: 445supermag

445supermag — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 20:59:32 -0800

How far away is Harry Turtledove's story "The R Strain" where pigs are engineered to chew their cud, arguably making it possible for them to be made kosher?

By: Samizdata

Samizdata — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 21:27:23 -0800

Or if you add a gene to naturally give them that delicious smoky flavor?

By: stenseng

stenseng — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 21:53:05 -0800

mmm....science...

By: rob511

rob511 — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 21:53:17 -0800

Trendier, but perhaps not so much healthier: Now a major new study suggests [traditional nutritional] advice was wrong. Scientists who reviewed 89 studies of Omega 3 fats found no clear evidence that they are of any use at all. When you think about it, this does make sense: freshly-caught fish are always gasping for breath, suggesting that fish are no more aerobically fit than humans. ;)

By: Football Bat

Football Bat — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 21:55:47 -0800

pigfish fat makes me happy and scared.

By: Relay

Relay — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 21:58:26 -0800

In the words of Homer J. Simpson: Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod!

By: popkinson

popkinson — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 01:38:09 -0800

Health benefits? What health benefits?

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 05:37:42 -0800

445, how did that story work? Because the bible specifically says no pork, in addition to the hoof/cud rule.

By: GuyZero

GuyZero — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 06:58:00 -0800

popkinson, I think you're misrepresenting that article a bit (of course, the Beeb is too...) That trial looked at the impact of omega-3 fats on patients with chronic heart disease and suggested the fatty acid did nothing to prevent a recurrence of these conditions. So fish doesn't reverse chronic heart disease. Woah, stop the presses: MIRACLES STILL RESERVED FOR PICTURES OF MARY ON GRILLED CHEESE. Hardly damning if you're not chronically sick and looking to stay that way. I, for one, welcome out new healthy fat-bearing pig overlords.

By: 445supermag

445supermag — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 07:27:00 -0800

445, how did that story work? Because the bible specifically says no pork, in addition to the hoof/cud rule. posted by rxrfrx at 5:37 AM PST on March 27 [!] If I remember the story correctly, the cud chewing pigs were created so they could process cellulose (hay and grass) and therefore make them better for undeveloped societies (basically, pigs need the same food as people). The possibility of them being made kosher was after the fact and involved much rabbinical study. I mean, is it still a pig if it has 4 stomachs? On the omega-3, an interviewer on npr noticed that the first animals tested with the gene were mice and that they actually made a higher percentage of omega-3. Tiny strips of bacon though.

By: picea

picea — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 07:30:26 -0800

A side of chickie-nob nubbins with your baco-mega-3 anyone?

By: matteo

matteo — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 12:35:16 -0800

for those who don't keep Kosher, jamon serrano and patanegra