May 5, 2006

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO IMPROVE THEM UNLESS YOU MAKE THEIR VEINS RUN WITH BEER?:

Building a More Yummy Pig (Associated Press, Apr, 30, 2006)

Max Rothschild has been trying to "build" a better pig for almost 30 years, since he took a job cleaning up after the hogs at his alma mater, the University of California, Davis.

He's now a renowned swine scientist who has traded the dirty pigpens of his undergraduate days for a glistening Iowa State University laboratory dedicated to producing tastier chops, safer pork and healthier pigs.

Rothschild is part of a national collaboration that earlier this year received a $10 million federal grant to map pig genes. Researchers from the University of Illinois-led project promise it will help take the guesswork out of breeding.

The idea is to find and exploit the genetic variations of the best pigs, which Rothschild and like-minded agricultural researchers say will radically change the industry.


Aren't you proud of me for not exploiting the easy cheap shot that's teed up with the phrase "swine scientist"?

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 5, 2006 6:39 PM
Comments

The beer-for-blood idea is good... how about make them oviparous? Ham and eggs in one tidy package... Though I wouldn't mind a winged version too, perhaps cross-bred with bat genes...

Posted by: Just John at May 5, 2006 8:03 PM

The problem is that the anti-fat fascists bred every last bit of delicious fatty goodness out of them. Leaving pork chops etc dry as bone. Folks are reversing this travesty, but not nearly fast enough. You basically have to order the good stuff from a handful of producers.

Posted by: Jim in Chicago at May 5, 2006 8:06 PM

Fill their veins with beer AND get them not to stink. Heh. Bill Gates would be your caddy.

Posted by: JR at May 5, 2006 8:31 PM

When are they going to develop a pig that chews its cud?

Posted by: David Cohen at May 5, 2006 8:53 PM

David:

Next year, in Jerusalem.

Posted by: Peter B at May 5, 2006 9:12 PM

Cool. The University of Illinois just built a new swine research facility right down the road from me, so I might get to try the results first.

Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at May 5, 2006 9:51 PM

Homer: Are you saying you're never going to eat any animal again? What about bacon?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Ham?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Pork chops?
Lisa: Dad, those all come from the same animal.
Homer: Heh heh heh. Ooh, yeah, right, Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.

Posted by: Brandon at May 5, 2006 11:21 PM
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