The pigs reportedly contain a gene called FAD2, which converts saturated fat into the unsaturated fat linoleic acid. Akira Iritani, at Kinki University in western Japan, led the research and claims the genetically modified pigs contain 20 per cent less saturated fat than normal pigs, making them healthier to eat.
Iritani hopes that despite the poor public acceptance of genetically-modified food, safety tests will be conducted so that people will want to eat the pork for health reasons.
Apparently the pigs were born three and a half years ago but Iritani wanted to be sure the genetic modification would be passed down through offspring before revealing details of his work. To date, the modification has been confirmed in three generations of pigs and seven generations of mice.
Animal health groups in the UK have been quick to condemn Iritani's work. Vicky Robinson of the UK's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, has announced that they are staggered by the reports of this research.
However, Iritani is yet to publish his research, and numerous animal biotechnology experts contacted by New Scientist say they have had no previous hint of the experiments.
Iritani has been researching pig biology for over 20 years. He is also known as the leader of a maverick team hoping to isolate and clone mammoth DNA.
Emma Young reported this item for New Scientist
25 January 2002
