Enviropig - Sumptuous Superhero

Pigs aren’t flying yet, but they are fighting crimes against the environment in an unexpected way.

In the running for FDA approval is Enviro-pig, a pig that has the unique ability to process phosphate with up to 60% more efficiency than your average pig. Because Enviro-pigs can extract more nutrients from their food, they grow slightly faster with less food and most fascinatingly, poop less.

Phosphate, a major ingredient of fertilizer, contributes to strong bones and good physiological development in pigs. Pigs are traditionally given phosphorus supplements in addition to their corn or soy bean feed to boost lean muscle mass and encourage good growth.

The problem with phosphorus is that it also boosts growth in algae, causing huge problems in local water. To handle the large amounts of pig manure, farmers spread manure over fields as fertilizer. Since 50-75% of the phosphorus in pig feed is indigestable by conventional pigs, the manure contains high levels of phosphorus. Phosphorus in the soil ends up in surrounding bodies of water due to rain and run off stimulating the growth of algae.

Normally, algae produces oxygen; however, the amount of algae eventually increases so much that it crowds out other organisms living in the water. Aside from simple problems of space, the bacteria that feed on algae growths also become so numerous that oxygen levels begin to dip low enough that fish and other aquatic life can no longer breathe.

Enviro-pigs have the potential to be the solution to this problem. The genome whizzes at Guelph University in Ontario, Canada, have encoded their pigs with a secret weapon: phytase. Enviro-pigs secrete this enzyme in their salivary glands thus enabling them to break down and absorb the previously indigestable phosphorous (a compound known as phosphate) in their feed.
I had the opportunity to speak with the creator of this unusual swine, Dr. Cecil Forsberg. He is an Emeritus Professor at Guelph University and heads the research and development of Enviro-pigs.

Professor Forsberg with an Enviro-pig

Q: Pigs with heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids have been developed recently as well. Can you explain why you chose to go the route of creating more environmentally friendly pigs?

A: The problem has been developing for a while, there has been a question of what to do the waste, good fertilizer but swine farms tend to be highly concentrated in one area. Omega-3 is very heart healthy - It’s a very good idea, but it just so happens that we were looking at the other end.

Q: How long have you been working on Enviro-pigs?

A: Twelve years. It has been quite complicated being the first ones in this area. We started with a large number of transgenic pigs - 33 lines with the same construct - and narrowed it down to one line. We had to take into consideration growth factors, site of [transgene] integration into the chromosome, and multiple copies [the transgene] integrated into one site on the chromosomes.

Q: Can you talk about some pitfalls you met along the way?

A: Our initial line had penicillin resistance, it ran well [and] tested well. As far as doing it right [though], if you just go back to transgenic plant research, the initial plants they worked with had an antibiotic resistance factors [and did not receive approval from the FDA] so we knew that it would not be acceptable by the regulators even by the general public. There were half a dozen lines without the antibiotic resistance, but we lost 2.5-3 years.

Q: Do you worry about isolation and contamination?

A: There are few feral pigs and pigs don’t fare well in cold climates [such as Ontario]. In Georgia, Florida, or Australia it might be more of a problem, but the frequency of losing a conventional pig is rare. It’s a marginal problem. I don’t think having a phytase would change it much.

Q: What do you see for transgenic animals in the future?

A: I have been convinced since the beginning that it is a positive aspect. The good outweighs the bad. Over the 20 or 30 years the swine and poultry will double globally. Developed countries are eating less but developing countries are consuming more. Right now some 50% of corn is utilized for animal feed and 80% of soy is utilized for animal feed. I don’t see how corn and production will satisfy needs for animal and human consumption.

With this increase in animal production there is going to be a problem with pollution. To meet those needs for people who insist on having a high meat consumption we have to reduce the impact the animals have on the environment.

The best solution would be for everyone to be a vegan. But I don’t see that happening because it very difficult to meet the nutritional requirements without meat. It’s a social thing too.