Ogden Nash had this to say about today’s topic:
The cow is of the bovine ilk;
One end is moo, the other, milk.
But it’s quite a bit more complicated than that, as more than 300 researchers from 25 countries can attest, after spending an estimated $53 million on a six-year project.
The bovine genome has now been sequenced and analyzed, with findings reported in the journal Science on April 24.
Cows are complex beasts, as evidenced by the 2,870 billion DNA building blocks that encode some 22,000 genes. Bovines are the first ruminant livestock mammals to have their genetic blueprint thoroughly analyzed.
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Results are expected to enable more advanced research into improved beef and dairy product quality and better disease prevention.
But here’s the beefy part: cows share about 80 percent of their genes with humans.
Your surprise may only be momentary, once you consider the evidence.
Like humans, cows spend most of their time in pursuit of food, drink, shelter and companionship. They’re suspicious of outsiders and averse to rapid change, yet curious about events around them.
They love to watch a good show, so long as they don’t have to get involved, and they’re always eager to see whether the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
Like humans, cows follow the trends; they travel the paths created by others. They’re fiercely protective of their young, who are seen and also herd.
Given a choice, cows, like humans, will choose a big piece of waterfront property as a place to live. They are fond of hanging out by the pool (or dugout) on really hot days.
Many seem to have a lot to say for no apparent reason or appreciable result.
Like humans, cows crave foods both salty and sweet and virtually none will pass up a really tasty and attractive salad.
They hate to visit the doctor and will even try to ignore their illnesses. And also like humans, they know there’s nothing better than being able to scratch where it itches.
As for male cattle, they’re invariably attracted to females wearing leather.
Kidding aside, knowledge of the bovine genome is already opening intriguing lines of study for the cattle industry and, because of the many similarities, for human health.
As just one example, cows have different arrangements of genes governing immunity and thus an enhanced ability to defend themselves from disease. Could that information be used to improve human health?
Cows have much to teach us, it seems. As researcher Harris Lewin of the University of Illinois said in a Genome Webnews release, “the cows have not disappointed us.”
