Cross-posted from Envirowonk

The New Zealand agricultural research bureau has announced important breakthroughs in controlling greenhouse emissions from cows. The answer lies in the rumen -- the organ cows use to digest grass -- with the help of symbiotic bacteria. Those bacteria break down cellulose and release copious quantities of methane, which are expelled from the cow in due course. However, as methane is a greenhouse gas, countries involved in ranching are increasingly concerned with reducing the greenhouse impact of these unfortunate body functions.

The Kiwi scientists have mapped the genome of the symbiont bacteria in the rumen, and identified the genes that control methane formation. They hope that, eventually, genetic engineering will provide a means to switch this gene off, reducing the impact of cow farts on the global climate. As New Zealand plans to enact greenhouse cap-and-trade schemes soon, reducing cow flatulence may take on important policy ramifications.

Note from Envirovore: Of course, eating meat doesn't have to mean eating cows. See our recent posts on the regional and ecological sensibility of switching to rabbits, insects, or wild game.

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Of course
written by eco_bio_veg, June 23, 2008

Note: Of course, we could eat meat from the few animals that can graze on unfertile lands. Of course, we could simply not use fossil fuels and allow cows to fart! Of course, we could simply not eat meat! Of course, creating genetically modified bacteria as a solution is just nuts and irresponsible and shouldn't even be considered by people who consider themselves environmentalists concerned with what they eat!

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