Download Biotechnology in Animal Science

Biotechnology
in Animal
Science
5.04
Biotechnology and Ethical
Issues
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Biotechnology- technology concerning the
application of biological and engineering techniques
to microorganisms, plants and animals.
Biotechnology experienced greatest advances in the
1970’s when scientists began identifying and
manipulating deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
Greatest concern with biotechnology stems from new
advances with genetic engineering of plants and
animals.
Biotechnology is regulated in the United States to
ensure the safety of products. Regulatory agencies
include the United State Department of Agriculture,
the Food and Drug Administration and the
Environmental Protection Agency.
Biotechnology and Ethical
Issues
 Despite
regulations some people are still
opposed to biotechnology.
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Personal beliefs and values affect how different
people and groups of people feel about bioethical
issues.
Fear of the unknown is the major problem most
people have with biotechnology products and
processes.
Biotechnology Improvements
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Monoclonal Antibody Diagnostic Testing- fast and
accurate method of testing for diseases such as
brucellosis and diagnosing pregnancy.
Disease Treatment- improved treatment for diseases
and disorders such as scours, parasites, shipping fever
and diseases caused by viruses and bacteria.
Genetically Engineered Vaccines- pure and safe
substances that control animal diseases. Cannot
cause the disease because they are not live disease
causing agents as are traditional vaccines.
Transgenic Animals- animals that have a recombinant
gene in all their cells that can be used to produce
medicine for humans.
Biotechnology Improvements
 Bovine
Somatotrophi (bsT)- genetically
engineered bovine somatotrophin that helps
cattle increase milk production.
 Porcine Somatotrophin (pST)- genetically
engineered porcine somatotrophin that
increases feed efficiency and reduces fat.
 Embryo Transfer- removing and implanting
embryos into surrogate animals. The technology
that opened the door for biotechnology to be
used in animal reproduction.
Biotechnology Improvements
 Cloning-
makes animals with identical
genetics.
 Gene Transfer- produces transgenic
animals.
 Genomics- the study of all the genes of
an organism. Evaluates specific DNA
sequences of individual animals to predict
their genetic merit and future productivity.
Embryo Transfer
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Procedure
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Advantages
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Superovulation of donor with hormones.
Artificial insemination.
Flush embryos and remove with catheter.
Isolate and classify embryos.
Store embryos in liquid nitrogen.
Transfer embryos to recipient cows
Diagnose pregnancy 1 to 3 months later.
Birth 9 months after transfer of embryos.
Genes of the female (dam) can be passed to more offspring faster than
natural breeding.
Extend the productive life a female that can no longer carry offspring.
Disadvantages
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Cost.
Requires intensive management.
Cloning Cattle Using Nuclear
Transfer
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Procedure
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Advantages
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Increase herd uniformity.
Increase herd quality.
Produce genetically identical animals.
Disadvantages
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Flush and remove embryos with catheter same as regular embryo transfer.
Filter the flushed liquid to remove embryos.
Remove genetic material from recipient oocytes.
The nuclei are removed through microsurgery.
The nuclei are separated and each one is transferred to an unfertilized egg cell
that has had its nucleus removed, thus the term nuclear transfer
Plugs with three or four embryos are placed in oviducts of sheep for five to six days
to develop to the 32 to 64- cell stage.
Embryos are removed and placed into surrogate mothers, frozen for long term
storage or used to produce another generation of cloned embryos.
Lower conception rates.
Cost.
Not currently practical for producers, but still used in research.