Feces of GM pigs more environmentally friendly

Engineered animals may reduce pork industry's negative impact

Chinese researchers have turned to genetic engineering to develop pigs whose manure is more environmentally friendly than that of their conventional cousins.

A study, published recently in eLife, a science journal based in the United Kingdom, found that genetically modified pigs have an improved ability to digest two key nutrients - nitrogen and phosphorus - in their feed. That means less is released into the environment in the form of pig poop.