July 10, 2008

US study finds bovine hormone to cut down methane gas

A new research in the US finds that the genetically engineered hormone, the recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), can cut the emissions of methane gas.

Author Judith Capper of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and colleagues, said that the hormone, which is sometimes used to boosts cows' milk production, can cut the potent gas by 7 percent per litre of milk.

However, the use of the recombinant supplement has been controversial. While it is used in the US, it is banned in Canada, parts of the EU, Australia and New Zealand.