Marking the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference, The Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, UK, have has highlighted some ways that animal research can boost sustainable farming (see video).
In one project, researchers are studying the DNA of microbes in the stomachs of cattle and sheep, to understand if it is possible to reduce the levels of methane, a greenhouse gas closely associated with climate change, and create ‘low-emission cattle’.
Another study looks at ways to keep livestock healthy and stop the spread of disease, such as gene editing in pigs to prevent common infections and therefore reduce their carbon footprint.
Roslin is also part of The Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, which seeks to remove losses due to disease and improve livestock food production in tropical countries.