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Chinese Scientists Create Genetically Modified Low-Fat Pigs (npr.org)
Chinese scientists have created low-fat pigs using new genetic engineering techniques. "In a paper published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the scientists report that they have created 12 healthy pigs with about 24 percent less body fat than normal pigs," reports NPR. From the report: The scientists created low-fat pigs in the hopes of providing pig farmers with animals that would be less expensive to raise and would suffer less in cold weather. The animals have less body fat because they have a gene that allows them to regulate their body temperatures better by burning fat. That could save farmers millions of dollars in heating and feeding costs, as well as prevent millions of piglets from suffering and dying in cold weather. The Chinese scientists created the animals using a new gene-editing technique known as CRISPR-Cas9. It enables scientists to make changes in DNA much more easily and precisely than ever before. Pigs lack a gene, called UPC1, which most other mammals have. The gene helps animals regulate their body temperatures in cold temperatures. The scientists edited a mouse version of the gene into pig cells. They then used those cells to create more than 2,553 cloned pig embryos. Next, scientists implanted the genetically modified cloned pig embryos into 13 female pigs. Three of the female surrogate mother pigs became pregnant, producing 12 male piglets, the researchers report.
I call bullshit on your heart disease post. My grandmother ate bacon all her life, and for most of her life she cooked with LARD. Yes, lard, that fat from hogs. Nearly everything tastes better when cooked with real fat - biscuits, fried chicken, cakes, etc.. Note that my grandmother lived to within months of her 90th birthday. How long is your skinny ass going to live?
It's lifestyle, not diet. She led a life filled with physical work, rarely ever saw a doctor, and was taking no prescription medicines. Hell, she worked outside doing yardwork the day before she died. Her mind was still as sharp as a tack. What's your excuse?
I am 64, soon to be 65. My blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar are all normal. I eat bacon and a lot of other "unhealthful" food, but I also lead a lifestyle that involves a LOT of physical activity.
Less fat?!?!? These so-called scientists need to wake up. We've been brainwashed for over 30 years to avoid fat. How well has that worked? We're fatter than ever. Meanwhile, over 30 years ago a quiet voice in the void said we should avoid carbohydrates and eat much more fat. More than 30 million people listened to Dr. Atkins and those scientists who followed him and they are healthier than ever. Scientists have confirmed the less carbs / more fat plan but government and commercial interests are still pushing the low fat dogma.
It's not just your body that suffers from starchy foods, you are 40% more likely to develop dementia. Eat more fat, less carbs!
...omphaloskepsis often...
I have 3 more anecdotes to add to the pile. They were all people that never bought into any sort of new age diet nonsense. They also lived into their 90s.
It's probably not even "life style". It's genetics.
The fates are cruel bitches and no amount of self flagellation is going to help you. You're just going to spend what time you have being miserable.
Although moderation might help. You don't have to bathe in bacon daily to enjoy it.
A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.