The BBC investigates the development of the Enviropig – a genetically modified breed of Yorkshire pigs which can digest plant phosphorous, reducing feed costs and harmful emissions.

The Melbourne Herald Sun reports development of pig lungs compatible with human blood. Such organs could fill a real need; 200 died last year on waiting lists in Australia alone.

The genetically-modified pigs do not express a certain antigen that causes the blood to clot. Research on such "knock-out" pigs has been going on for over two decades.

There is an ongoing debate about the ethics of creating such "chimeras." Still, replacement of human heart valves with pig valves or cow cardiac tissue is already widespread.

Graziani Industries would like to announce it's new webcomic series: Cy-Boar.

A mutated, cybernetic boar searches for his place in the world. Though he may seek peace, he usually finds skull-splitting action.

This comic series has been in development since 1989, when series creators John & Lou Graziani began drawing the adventures of an anthromorphic boar on plain copy paper. Now the entire archive of stories, over 250 pages, illustrated from 89 through the present, have been scanned and will be available online and in color, for the first time!

Cy-Boar will be updating every Thursday
Cy-Boar

According to New Scientist, cells from pig-human chimeras show unusual cells: cells with DNA that were created by both human and pig parents. These cells are sensitive to both pig and human diseases, and they could be a way for diseases to pass between species.

Whilst the story itself is technically three years old, there's a nice little article on skynews entitled 'The Sty of the Tiger' about some 'different' methods for rearing baby tigers.

A law which goes into effect today rules that British pig farmers must place "manipulable material" in their animal's enclosures. Failure to provide such release from boredom can result in a fine of up to £2,500.

Like something out of an early "Toy Story," the kittens cluster rigidly around a table laden with tea and cakes, while nearby two rakish squirrels smoke their pipes — watched by a two-headed lamb and conjoined twin piglets.

Read the full article here.

A new, simple technique, developed by Mairaluisa Lavitrano at the University of Milan-Bicocca, has improved xenotransplant yields (the number of young with foreign genes) from about 4% to up to 88%. In short, she can regularly and reliably introduce human genes into pigs, who then express the human genes.

Further information about this technology can be found at:

• New Scientist
• MSNBC
• BBC News
• CBS News
• CBC News

MARION COUNTY, Fla. -- Residents in a Marion County, Fla., neighborhood said an aggressive pack of wild boars is terrorizing their neighborhood, according to Local 6 News.

"I saw a pig looking in the window," resident Edwin Aundrea said. "It spotted me when I tried to chase him away and it chased me in the house."

But it gets worse!

A Japanese group has genertically altered pigs to include spinach genes. Akira Iritani, spokesman for the scientits, said their meat would be "more healthy'' than normal pork, although it was too early to say if it was as healthy as spinach. It is considered an academic victory, and I'm sure people everywhere will agree that one more reason to eat bacon instead of spinach is good.

Today's (Thursday, 30 August)

Good Morning Silicon Valley

has an interesting short article and collection of links about the pig-human hybrids of last year, the future of animal-human hybrids, and the responses of Jeremy Rifkin. See the article "Pig-human hybrids: the other, other white meat...".

Jerry Beck's Cartoon Research website quotes a "Variety" report that Hayao Miyazaki's newest animated feature, about a young girl whose parents are turned into pigs and who must venture into a bizarre fantasy world to save them, is setting new box records in Japan that far surpass the records set by Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke", Japan's top-grossing film upon its release in 1997. Incidentally, although "Cartoon Research" is about all animation and not just funny animals, there is plenty of news about other funny animal theatrical and TV cartoon projects.

Editor's note: In case it's unclear, the movie concerned is Spirited Away

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wants to see the unedited footage from Survivor where one of the contestants killed a wild pig to see if it constitutes cruelty to animals. Since I don't watch Survivor, I can't form an opinion on this one... did anyone see it? Any comments?

Florida voters have an opportunity to promote legislation that will prevent cruelty to pigs used to produce meat. If we're going to eat them, we should treat them with some dignity and respect. Visit bancruelfarms.org for more information on how you can help, and some really heart-wrenching photographs.