  Grand unified theories can admit cosmic strings with fermion zero modes. Such
zero modes result in the string being current-carrying and the formation of
stable remnants, vortons. However, the string zero modes do not automaticall
survive subsequent phase transitions. In this case the vortons dissipate. It is
possible that the dissipating cosmic vortons create the observed baryon
asymmetry of the universe. We show that fermion zero modes are an automatic
consequence cosmic strings in supersymmetric theories. Since supersymmetry is
not observed in nature, we consider possible supersymmetry breaking terms. Some
of these terms result in the zero modes being destroyed. We calculate the
baryon asymmetry generated by the consequent dissipating cosmic vortons. If the
supersymmtry breaking scale is high enough, then the dissipating cosmic vortons
could account for the observed baryon asymmetry.
