We are constantly bombard with Images of Andie McDowell telling us about how to get rid of wrinkles with various creams and potions. Now being a man I am not convinced and Mattew Fox is not going to make me think outwise either. But winkles are serious business not just for humans though. Sheep as well.
Mulesing is the surgical removal of strips of wool-bearing wrinkle skin from around the breech of a sheep.[1] [2] Mulesing
is common practice in Australia as a way to reduce the incidence of flystrike on Merino sheep in regions where flystrike is common
This is considered cruel and banned by some European fashion retailers. So an alternative has been developed.
Jim Watts, who runs the breeding consultancy SRS Company, said that merino sheep genetically bred to be wrinkle-free were naturally immune to fly-strike, a disease in which the insects eat the animal’s flesh.
The former government research scientist said animals with smooth skin had less chance of urine and moisture getting trapped in tight skin folds and thereby developing the conditions suitable for flies to lay eggs.
“In our experience it makes them immune to fly-strike,” he said.
How long before we get a genetically bred to be wrinkle-free Andie McDowell?
0 Thriftcriminal May 19th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Ah, it is always more profitable to sell someone a cure for the symptoms rather than the disease. For example the antacid companies were very upset when the nice men discovered ulcers were caused by bacteria and could be eliminated with an antibiotic.