The New Zealand agricultural research bureau has announced important breakthroughs in controlling greenhouse emissions from cows. The answer lies in the rumen -- the organ cows use to digest grass -- with the help of symbiotic bacteria. Those bacteria break down cellulose and release copious quantities of methane, which are expelled from the cow in due course. However, as methane is a greenhouse gas, countries involved in ranching are increasingly concerned with reducing the greenhouse impact of these unfortunate body functions.

The Kiwi scientists have mapped the genome of the symbiont bacteria in the rumen, and identified the genes that control methane formation. They hope that, eventually, genetic engineering will provide a means to switch this gene off, reducing the impact of cow farts on the global climate. As New Zealand plans to enact greenhouse cap-and-trade schemes soon, reducing cow flatulence may take on important policy ramifications.

We congratulate these ingenious researchers, and pity them for the howls of laughter that must follow their attempts to describe their work to friends and family.