How to Use Genetic Bio Technologies to Improve Cattle Herd Production - TvAgro, Juan Gonzalo Angel

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Programa: How to Use Genetic Bio Technologies to Improve Cat

Techniques of modern biology such as molecular cloning of genes, gene transfer, genetic manipulation of animal and plant embryo transfer, genetic manipulation of rumen microbes, chemical and biological treatment of low quality animal feeds for improved nutritive value, genetically engineered immunodiagnostic and immunoprophylactic agents as well as veterinary vaccines, inter alia, are a reality today and are finding their ways into research and development programmes of developing countries. Biotechnology is offering unprecedented opportunities for increasing agricultural productivity and for protecting the environment through reduced use of agro-chemicals. The major thrust in biotechnology research is currently directed at solving immediate problems of industrialised countries, with major investments coming from transnational companies. However, many of the new discoveries and products will find their biggest markets in developing countries where the potential for improvement in agricultural productivity and health is greatest. The importance of biotechnology and its relevance is only slowly being accepted by policy makers in developing countries. In the presence of economic crisis, strong fiscal constraints, rapid social change and constant political instabilities, the difficulties associated with major policy changes in developing countries are enormous. This paper reviews available biotechnologies with potential application in livestock improvement and identifies those which have been or may be applied in developing countries in general, and Africa in particular. The review covers biotechnology applications in the areas of animal genetics and breeding, including conservation of animal genetic resources, animal health, physiology of lactation and growth, and animal nutrition.
Introduction

Developing countries are faced with the challenge to rapidly increase agricultural productivity to help feed their growing populations without depleting the natural resource base. Biotechnology is regarded as a means to meet both objectives through addressing the production constraints of small-scale or resource-poor farmers who contribute more than 70% of the food produced in developing countries.

Biotechnology can be defined as any technique that uses living organisms or substances from such organisms to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals or to develop micro-organisms for specific purposes. Biotechnology is not new. Man has used it for thousands of years to manufacture products such as beer, wine and bread. Conventional plant and animal breeding which involves selection and mating of phenotypically preferred individuals is a good example of age-old application of biotechnology. What is new about biotechnology comes from more recent breakthroughs such as recombinant DNA technology and associated techniques, monoclonal antibody techniques, embryo manipulation technology etc. These have enhanced possibilities for manipulating biological systems for the benefit of mankind.

Among agricultural and allied fields, animal production and health have probably benefitted the most from biotechnology. But successful application of biotechnology has generally been limited to developed countries. Specifically, there are hardly any success stories of the application of biotechnology in the improvement of livestock production in Africa. The purpose of this paper is to review available biotechnologies with potential application in livestock improvement and to identify those which have been or may be applied in developing countries in general, and Africa in particular. In addition, the paper gives a "broad brush" examination of possible reasons for failure of those technologies which have been tried. The paper also presents examples of successful application of biotechnology in Africa and the potential role of biotechnology (both "old" and "new") in future livestock development in Africa. The paper starts by presenting an overview of biotechnologies with current and/or potential applications in the areas of reproductive physiology, genetics and animal breeding, animal health, physiology of lactation and growth and animal nutrition. Given the breadth of the topic, not much depth is given to the review of each area. Rather, an attempt is made to highlight the technologies considered to have current or potential application. The paper concludes with a fleeting coverage of issues concerning the potential environmental hazards of genetic engineering and other biotechnologies, and the need for their ethical evaluation and for an international regulatory mechanism.
Overview of available biotechnologies

Reproductive physiology
Animal genetics and breeding
Animal health
Animal nutrition

Source http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ilri/x5473b/x5473b05.htm

Juan Gonzalo Angel Restrepo
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