Cows burp out too much methane. This biotech startup is making a bovine Beano.

Seattle-based biotech company Lumen Bioscience is working to reduce atmospheric harm by reducing cows’ methane emissions. The company is developing a manufactured enzyme to prevent cows’ digestive microorganisms from producing methane.

Although Lumen typically makes medicines for humans, the company believes this enzyme could lower methane emissions – a driver of atmospheric pollution and global climate change – without incurring high costs. Some studies have suggested that strategies like this could cut more than 80% of Earth’s methane levels.

If the product proves successful in later development stages, Lumen hopes to form a commercial company – Rumen Biotechnologies – to bring the product to market.

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