Researchers could one day create genetically modified cattle, pigs and chicken that could produce meat, eggs and dairy products rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which would mean that humans wouldn’t have to rely solely on fish as a means of obtaining the beneficial fat.
The health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are well-noted. It can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, among other things. However, mammals can’t convert omega-6 fatty acids into the healthier omega-3 fat so they must obtain it from food. Even fish, which are commonly eaten for their omega-3, can’t make it on their own--it’s accumulated in their bodies from the algae they eat.
Scientists were able to engineer a roundworm gene to convert omega-6 to omega-3 and have successfully transferred it into mice. The organs and tissues of the altered mice contained an abundance of omega-3 and a reduction in omega-6 fatty acids.
Researchers point out that since many fish are contaminated with toxins like mercury and PCBs, securing a new source of omega-3 fats, such as omega-3 meat or dairy, is becoming increasingly important. Further, a non-fish source of omega-3 would be more environmentally friendly, as it takes from two to five pounds of ocean fish to produce one pound of farmed fish, which is leading to reductions in natural fish populations.
Nature February 5, 2004;427 504
USA Today February 5, 2004
Fish oil is one of the few "universal" supplements necessary for all humans if they hope to achieve optimal health. Nearly every human alive would benefit from taking it. Practically all the commercial fish in the world are contaminated with pollutants so the ideal source of fish for most humans now becomes high-quality fish oil or cod liver oil. Many have expressed concern that there are not enough fish in the world to supply the human race with all the omega-3 that we need. I suspect that this is true. The reality though is that it will be many years (decades?) before the bulk of the human race realizes this need and seeks to obtain this essential oil.
I was never worried about this problem though as I was highly confident that technology would provide a solution, and now it has, many years before it will be needed. If farm animals could make omega-3, meat, milk and eggs could all be directly enriched with the oils. This might be one of the few applications of GM technology I agree with.
One day this technology may transform your steak and egg meal into one full of beneficial omega-3 fats. There would still be many years of research needed to ensure that this genetic alteration did not have some unforeseen consequences. But it is encouraging to note that future generations will always have access to one of the most critical foods necessary for health that is currently known.
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