Scientists have recently announced the completion of two projects that sequenced both pig and cucumber genomes. According to the reports, this scientific achievement stands to have a tremendous impact on future research, particularly in the areas of human medicine and agriculture. As I read through the article my first question was, and probably that of most people, what the heck is genome sequencing anyway?

After a quick trip to my favourite search engine and a visit back to my days in high school biology (who knew I would use this stuff again?!), here is what I learned:
All living matter is made up of millions of cells that are directed to perform various functions by their genetic makeup or DNA. The DNA strand is made up of millions of its four component parts, called nucleotides, which determine the genetic sequence of the organism’s DNA.

Identifying the study subject’s particular genome sequence can tell us details about how the animal or plant grows, defends itself from disease and produces the characteristics and behaviours that we identify the plant or animal with.

While I think I will leave this type of work to the professionals, I was most intrigued about the part of the announcement that describes the possible impacts this research will have on human medicine and the agricultural sector. What will this understanding do to our Sunday pork loin roasts or my grandmother’s cucumber sandwiches?

A link to agriculture

As scientists now have an understanding of how plants and animals express certain characteristics, they can genetically modify organisms to express more of the desired characteristics and less of those that are not so desirable. Being able to help organisms express their most desired characteristics will reduce waste, increase productivity of an organization, save producers time and money and produce higher yielding, higher quality food products necessary to feed a growing and starving world.

As the latest organisms to contribute to the ongoing research in genetic sequencing, the genomes of pigs and cucumbers hold the secret to more than a great tasting roast and a refreshing crunch. For example, in a swine breed that commonly develops leg problems, scientists will be able to isolate the sequence that controls leg conformation and be able to modify that gene to lower or even eliminate the occurrence of that type of problem. Pig producers, particularly those in dry areas, will be able to raise livestock who use water more efficiently and have a resistance to parasites and zoonotic diseases, such as H1N1, which also happens to affect humans. As pork represents about 40% of the world meat production, overcoming these common challenges should have a pretty huge effect on the global economy. Being pretty health conscious, I get pretty excited at the prospect of increased food quality and the promises of lower fat pork products. And since pig organs are commonly used for transplantation into humans, the more information we have about them, the better chance of transplant success.

Similarly, in cucumbers, understanding how the plants defend themselves from something like the mosaic virus, scientists can help develop a plant that expresses those characteristics and thus reduce the amount of crop lost to this common cucumber disease or any other type of pest. They will also be able to develop varieties that germinate faster, have a greater cold tolerance, have larger yields and have the potential to grow in a wider variety of climates. As the cucumber is a representative of the cucurbit family, which includes pumpkins, melon, squash and watermelon, this research will extend to a large variety of crops that have economic consequences worldwide.

A continuing challenge

While this story is encouraging, it can’t be finished without mentioning that there are many concerns about using biotechnology to change the way we raise or grow our food supply. Even as the genome sequencing of these organisms leads to a greater understanding of how they work, pigs and cucumbers are just a small part of a larger natural system. Genome sequencing research and biotechnology have the amazing potential to change our economy, human health and agricultural systems in many positive ways, we just have to be prepared to address the challenges that this new technology will bring along the way.

» Science Fair

In principle, cat litter is a great concept. It absorbs moisture from your cat's urine and feces and with that, absorbs the associated stench. Unfortunately as effective as it is, most commercial cat litters are no friend to the environment.

The most commonly used cat litter available today is made from natural clay, which sounds eco-friendly in theory. Make no mistake though, despite its name the most popular type of clay litter contains sodium bentonite, which forms a clump and makes it easier to remove waste from a litter box. However, clay litter produces a fair amount of silicon-containing dust, a known carcinogen to humans. It also adheres to fur and in-between a cat's toes, but worse than that, is known to cause respiratory infections. In fact, research has shown cats with respiratory disease had as much as six times the amount of silica in their lungs than healthy cats that were tested. Products used by humans that contain the same type of silica carry health hazard warnings and warn about the risk of cancer.

From an environmental perspective, the clay used in litter is often strip-mined, a harmful process that involves using heavy equipment to remove a layer of rock and soil to get to a relatively horizontal coal seam. Once extraction is finished, the land is returned to as normal as possible prior to the procedure, however the damage is already done at that point.

Now that we've covered why certain cat litter can be detrimental to the health of your cat and the environment, what are your options? For starters, you can look for cat litter that is free from chemical additives like silica. Feline Pine Scoop is both of these, as well as biodegradable. Feline Pine uses renewable Southern Yellow Pine instead of strip-mined clay, which also naturally neutralizes the smell of ammonia in cat urine, rather than  using an artificial fragrance to attempt to mask the smell. It's also conveniently available at most major retailers including Wal-Mart and Target, as well as chain pet stores like PetSmart.

Another alternative is to make your own litter, which is truly the earth-friendly way to go. Allie from Allie's Answers figured out a fantastic way to do so and shows you exactly how, using old newspaper. If you have the time, this may be the ultimate solution since it's non-toxic, completely inexpensive (basically free!) and provides a functional way to recycle something most of us having around the house anyway.

» Worldwise.com

The words in the title may sound familiar; that's because Bob Barker ended every episode of his game show "The Price Is Right" by issuing that reminder. Turns out Bob was onto something. Somewhere in the neighborhood of six to eight million pets enter animal shelters every year. Of those, only three to four million find homes. You do the math: that means that three to four million cats and dogs are euthanized every single year because they aren't taken into loving homes. Surprisingly enough, a lot of these animals don't just come off the streets, nor are they in ill health. Often times family pets have gotten loose (and gotten busy!) or owners have bred the animals to reproduce, but in any event, these animals don't find homes.

Those are some pretty scary - and sad - numbers. Shelters are overcrowded and millions of potentially great family pets are being put down simply because there aren't enough good homes to take them in. If you needed a good reason to spay or neuter your pets, there you have it. Breeders make good money from selling their animals, however for every cat or dog sold by a breeder, one less shelter animal has the opportunity to be adopted.

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Sticking to a diet of mostly organic food is a decision many consumers make for a host or reasons: it may be health-related concerns, a desire to remain pesticide-free or the choice to stick to foods that are as natural as possible. The latest trend has seen consumers pass their organic tendencies to their household pets. The organic pet food food industry is still a relatively new one, but as more consumers switch to organic food in their own lives, they're taking a second look at what their family members are eating - and that includes pets. In 2006, organic pet food sales were up 63% and after the massive pet food recall in 2007, sales in the natural pet product industry rose once again, experiencing a growth of 22% in 2007. But is it the right choice for your pet?

To go organic...

OrganicAuthority.com outlines five reasons to choose organic food for your pet. 

Allergies and skin irritations become less prominent -  If your animal suffers from these conditions and medication, shampoo and creams haven't helped, some feel switching your pet to a diet free from artificial colors and flavors, chemical additives and pesticides could help, since those could potentially be the source of the allergies.

Say goodbye to your overweight, lazy pet? - The same way excess weight and lack of exercise negatively impacts the health of humans is true for dogs, who may experience health complications such as diabetes, organ failure or hip dysplasia as a result. Because organic food doesn't contain bulk fibers and uses nutrient-dense food, it is believed that your dog will eat less of it and therefore, be able to maintain a healthy weight and energy level.

Minimal digestive problems - Organic pet food is supposed to contain high quality proteins, grains without any chemicals or artificial substances, which some believe makes the food more digestible. This can eliminate issues such as vomiting after meals, gas, bloating or diarrhea.

Improved overall health and immunity - Organic food is also claimed to be more digestible than even premium brands of non-organic dog food, which means your pet will absorb more nutrients and possibly help prevent infections and illness.

Longer life - Organic pet food also carries the claim that "A luxurious shiny coat, energy to run and play, a healthy weight and a strong immune system can maximize your dog's life expectancy and quality of life into old age."

To not go organic...

While organic pet food should not contain pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or antibiotics, there is no conclusive evidence that confirms the aforementioned benefits and the United States Department of Agriculture have a disclaimer on their site stating the organization "makes no claims that organically produced food is safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food." If you already eat mostly organic food in your own diet, it may be natural to seek the same for your pet, but experts say it all boils down to what you are most comfortable with.

Tony Buffington, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D, Dip.A.C.V.N., and professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Services at The Ohio State University, laments the lack of any scientific studies. "It really comes down to exactly which food is right for exactly which dog. I think people should do what makes them happy and what makes their animal healthy. If someone wants to buy a food just because they like to see the word "organic" and they take it home and feed it to the dog and the dog does great, then they ought to keep feeding it."

Another consideration in your decision to go organic with your pet food will be cost. Organic pet food will inevitably be more expensive and the quantity is likely to be smaller. For example, the biggest bag of Karma Organic dog food sold is 15 pounds instead of the traditional large bag weighing 30 pounds. The 15-pound bag is sold for $49.99 and a rep from Natura, the producer of Karma, admitted the reason a 30-pound bag is not sold is because it would be priced at $100 and most consumers would find that a stretch.

There isn't one clear-cut decision with respect to organic pet food. If you've already done organic in other areas of your life, the decision may be a little easier and it may just make sense to do so with your animal. Otherwise it comes down to deciding if the lack of scientific proof for pets eating organic - and the cost that goes with it - is really worth it and that's a decision only you can make.

» OrganicAuthority.com

Whether it’s from the backseat of a car or right next to a mountain stream, there is nothing my dog loves more than the smell of clean fresh air. The reason I bring this up is because often times my dog is the one who is reminding me of just how much I cherish the environment.

The following is a daily occurrence for me that you may have experienced as well. Sometimes I’ll be laying in bed, eyes open, early in the morning knowing that the temperatures outside are nearly freezing but guess who’s staring into my eyes, thrilled to be alive and ready to get outside and enjoy the frigid air? Yeah, it’s my pup, sitting by my bed breathing on me, and no, he hasn’t brushed his teeth yet.

Okay, okay let’s go, but be quiet and don’t wake anyone else up. Yee haw, his tail is waggin’ now and banging the railing on the way down the stairs, so much for keeping quiet. Off to the park we go. The city is still quiet, slowly getting revved up for the day. The sun is just peeking over the horizon turning the scattered clouds a brilliant red color and there isn’t anyone around, beautiful, just me, my dog and the environment. By the way, thanks for the kick in the butt pooch, this is great.

That’s just one example of my pet reminding me how alive I feel when I’m out in the elements. A good long weekend out of the city camping is ten times as fun for both of us. My dog needs that time in the outdoors to feel good and I think humans do just as much. Perhaps our big brains or our busy lives sometimes get in the way of our instinctual desire to be outside. So next time your dog wants a quick run in the park don’t miss the chance for him or for you.

» DOGBLOG

We've already told you that literally millions of pets are euthanized every year. If you have a pet, we stressed the importance of ensuring they are spayed or neutered to prevent the problem of pet overpopulation from growing. If, on the other hand, you're looking to add a new member to your family, you have the opportunity to make a difference for at least one of those millions of animals that needs a good home. The best way I can think of to convince you that pet adoption is the best way to go is to share my own experience.

Just over two years ago, Mr. Pinky Bean and I decided we were ready to expand our family. We knew we were far from ready for children, but figured a pet would give us some experience in caring for another living being. I had grown up with dogs in my family, while this was to be Mr. PB's foray into the world of pet ownership beyond owning some fish. We were always in agreement that a dog was our animal of choice, and also agreed that with our work schedules, a puppy would not be the right choice, since we could not easily accommodate full training. We also determined a small- to medium-sized dog would be best with some house-training. One mandatory requirement was that they be good with children and have an even temperament, since we knew it would one day be important. We also had a few breeds in mind that we had experience with and wouldn't mind, but were also keeping open minds, trusting we would know the right dog for us when we found it.

With those points in mind our search began. We used mostly online resources, such as local newspapers and online databases. Our list of 'criteria' wasn't extremely particular, but most of the dogs we found were either much larger than what we were looking for or not good with children. Then on one fall evening, I paid another visit to Petfinder.com, one of the resources we had been faithfully searching. When the database displayed the newest postings, my heart immediately jumped: there he was! A Yorkshire Terrier, one of Mr. PB's favorite breeds, a bit bigger than the standard Yorkie with one ear that stood straight up and the other bent (perpetually, as we would later learn). He was house-trained and desperately needing a good home. To say it was love at first sight may sound horribly cliché, but my heart was racing. I immediately called the shelter where he was and left a message, than thought I'd better send an email too, lest they check their computers before their phone messages. I heard back the next morning: yes, he was still available since he had just been listed and would we like to fill out an application? To make a long story short we did and a few days later, we received the call that we had been chosen as the new home for the dog. A few days later, we made the journey to bring home our new family member, Wilson.

The day we picked him up was almost more nerve-wracking than a blind date. Would he like us? Would we love him right away? What kind of traits would we discover he had? Anxiously clutching a bag of liver tidbits our local pet store guaranteed he would love, we waited for the shelter staff to retrieve him from the back. Other dogs yapped excitedly (a heart-breaking sound when you wish you could give them all a loving home). However as soon as they brought Wilson out from the back room, our fears become non-existent. In the flesh, we fell for his big brown eyes even faster than in his photo. Within mere minutes we had established that he in fact, did know how to sit.

Now two years later, we look back and can hardly remember what it was like before Wilson entered our lives. The days when we could ignore the alarm clock and fall back asleep without a dog waking up immediately and standing on our stomach, licking any exposed skin until we finally relent and crawl out of bed to take him for his morning walk. The days where we could leave a piece of cheese on the coffee table and come back and still find it there. The days where we weren't greeted after work with a wagging tail, toy in the mouth and ready for playtime. And I don't think we'd change one thing, even in the rougher times, such as the paw infection that ended up lasting months and required many trips to the vet. For all of those minor issues, there has been at least one moment, but often several, of every single day we've had Wilson that we smile or laugh at something he does. Like the time he chased and caught a wild rabbit on his leash during his morning walk (the rabbit escaped mostly unscathed). 

We may not know his exact breed (the vet guesses he's a a Yorkie-Silky Terrier), his age (five to six years is the estimate), his exact history (he was found wandering alone in a small town nearby, hungry and abandoned) or for that matter, why anyone would ever let him get away. What we do know is that he's fully house-trained, playful, but gentle enough that he's never bitten any dog or human in an aggressive way. He thrives on social interaction with other dogs and is willing to share his toys with them. He loves to sleep on my feet or the odd time, my head, and knows how to lie down, dance, roll-over and has just about mastered shaking a paw. And we know (quick break out a lighter!) that our lives are just a little better for loving him and being loved back unconditionally.

Some of the key lessons we learned in our adoption experience include:

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