The pig, or Sus scrofa domesticus, is widely recognized as a primary source of meat products like pork, bacon, and ham worldwide. Beyond food production, these animals are a multifaceted biological and industrial resource, contributing materials to medicine, manufacturing, and environmental management. Their unique physiology and rapid reproduction cycle make them suited for applications that extend far beyond the dinner plate. Understanding these diverse uses reveals the significant impact pigs have on modern society and human health.
Contributions to Human Medicine
The profound physiological similarity between pigs and humans makes them invaluable sources for medical treatments and research. Pig organs are comparable to human organs in size and function, which is foundational to xenotransplantation. This process involves transplanting animal cells, tissues, or organs into human recipients to alleviate the shortage of human donor organs.
Simple pig tissues have long been used in life-saving procedures. Porcine heart valves replace damaged human ones, benefiting thousands of patients annually. These biological valves are often preferred over mechanical alternatives due to the reduced need for long-term blood thinners. Pig skin dermis is also utilized to create temporary biological dressings for extensive burn wounds, providing a scaffolding for human tissue regeneration.
In pharmaceuticals, pigs have historically provided compounds. Porcine insulin, extracted from the animal’s pancreas, was the standard treatment for diabetes until the late 20th century, before the advent of synthetic human insulin. Today, the blood thinner heparin, a widely used anticoagulant, is still primarily sourced from the mucosal tissues of pig intestines.
Recent advances in gene editing technology, specifically CRISPR-Cas9, have made the use of whole pig organs a near-term reality. Scientists can genetically modify pigs to remove genes that produce the carbohydrate molecule alpha-gal, the main trigger for hyperacute rejection by the human immune system. This engineering aims to create organs the human body is less likely to recognize as foreign, opening the door for future transplants of pig kidneys and hearts to address organ scarcity.
Industrial and Consumer Products
The physical byproducts from pigs are processed into an extensive range of items used across manufacturing, household goods, and personal care products. The durability and unique properties of these materials ensure that nearly every part of the animal is repurposed for non-medical and non-food applications.
The hides of pigs, referred to as pigskin, are processed into leather goods known for their distinctive texture and strength. This material is used to manufacture various consumer items, including:
- High-quality shoes
- Gloves
- Bags
- Belts
Collagen derived from pig skin and bones is also a component in cosmetics and skincare products, valued for its moisturizing properties and role in supporting skin elasticity.
Gelatin, a protein extracted by boiling down pig bones and connective tissues, has numerous non-food industrial uses. It is a component in the manufacturing of photographic film, functioning as a binding agent for light-sensitive silver halide crystals. Gelatin is also used to create the hard and soft capsules that encase many over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Even the hair and fat of the pig serve important industrial purposes. The stiff bristles from the hog’s back are prized for creating high-quality paintbrushes and shaving brushes, valued for their ability to hold and distribute product evenly. Rendered fat, or lard, is chemically processed and used in the production of soaps, lubricants, floor waxes, and certain industrial adhesives.
Roles in Agriculture and Environment
Pigs provide functional roles in agricultural ecosystems and land management that extend beyond their material contributions. Their natural behaviors can be harnessed for specific labor tasks, and their waste products are a valuable resource.
The pig’s instinct to root—using its snout to dig and turn over soil—is a form of natural tilling employed in agriculture. This rooting activity helps to aerate the soil and control weeds, preparing fields for planting. In specialized agriculture, the pig’s highly developed sense of smell makes them useful laborers for locating underground delicacies like truffles.
Pigs also play a substantial role in waste management and nutrient cycling on farms. Pig manure is a nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium-rich organic fertilizer that improves soil fertility and crop yields. Modern waste treatment systems, such as anaerobic digesters, process swine waste, capturing methane gas to generate renewable energy.
These technologies help mitigate the environmental impact of large-scale farming operations by reducing odors and the loss of nutrients into waterways. This process supports sustainable agriculture by turning waste into renewable energy sources.