Mexico’s imposition of 20% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. pork, and China’s retaliatory raising of tariffs to 37% made me think about the pork supply chain. While most of us assume that this is all about bacon, hams, pork chops, and American pig farmers, pigs actually are part of some pretty sophisticated global supply chains. In HealthcareUntil the 1980s, insulin used to treat diabetes came from animal sources, usually the pancreases of pigs and cows. Though most people use synthetic human insulin today, porcine insulin is still produced. Their major advantage in human heart valve replacements is that patients usually don’t have to take blood thinners to prevent clotting.

Source: Forbes June 13, 2018 20:48 UTC