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Canada works on eco-friendly cows

Canadian scientists are breeding a special type of cow designed to burp less with the aim of reducing a large source of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.

Cows are responsible for nearly three-quarters of total methane emissions, according to Environment Canada.

Stephen Moore, a professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, is examining the genes responsible for methane produced from a cow’s four stomachs in order to breed more efficient, environmentally friendly cows.

Moore said: “We are working on producing diagnostic markers for efficient animals. We are looking at the next generation of technologies that will enable us to determine the genetics of an animal through a blood test or testing some hairs that you might pluck from the animal.”

The researchers hope that the technique can be transferred to other animals once perfected in cows.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .