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Dairy HorizonBiotechnology and the Dairy Industry |
ABEL PONCE
DE LEÓN |
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Biotechnology is a broad term that encompasses many of the ways in which humans derive benefits from other living things. In recent years it has most often been used to refer to efforts to learn about and modify genetic material for human benefit. This particular aspect of biotechnology provides an opportunity to enhance the economic viability of animal and plant agricultural industries. We already have seen increases in milk production due to the use of recombinant bovine growth hormone mass-produced by bacteria that contain genetic material taken from cow DNA. We also have seen the use of genetic engineering to produce pest-resistant and herbicide-tolerant crops. The future holds many more opportunities for enhancing dairy production and profitability through biotechnology. Among them: Marker-Assisted Selection. Scientists are working to identify bits of genetic material within the dairy cow's chromosomes that are inherited along with various economically important traits such as milk production, reproductive performance, and disease resistance. Producers will be able to use the presence or absence of these gene bits, known as genetic markers, in a bull's chromosomes to tell whether he has genes for particular desirable or undesirable characteristics. They can then use this information in a process called marker-assisted selection (MAS) to choose a sire that will produce calves with the best possible traits. Markers can also be used to determine whether a newborn calf has inherited traits such as high milk production that aren't otherwise detectable until later in life. Cloning. Cloning involves replacing the genetic material of an egg with genetic material from a body cell of another cow, then letting the altered egg grow inside a surrogate mother into a calf with the same traits as the animal from which the body cell was taken. This technology may eventually allow us to "photocopy" our best animals to preserve genetic material. New Products. Current research is also focusing on improving our ability to insert genes from other species into a cow's genetic material. This technology could allow us to produce milk that contains proteins such as human serum albumin or blood clotting factors. This milk could then be harvested to make life-saving drugs. It also could be used to produce animals whose milk is custom-designed to meet specific consumer demands - for example, milk that can be tolerated by lactose-intolerant individuals. In summary, biotechnology is a promising area of investment. In the future it will be an important factor in maintaining the vitality and economic viability of animal industries, particularly the dairy industry. |
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