Biotechnology - Livestock and poultry

Foods produced from genetically modified animals and poultry are far from commercial use. Research efforts are underway in many laboratories around the world to improve the quality of animals for human consumption. Although it may take some time for an effective commercial application of these efforts really start and has a significant impact on human development, the effort is going in the right direction and could lead to breakthrough results sooner or later.

As part of ongoing research on several new genes that promote growth in pigs have been introduced. The process had a positive effect on meat quality, ie the meat is lean and tender. This research was initiated more than a decade ago, but due to some morphological and physiological effects developed by pigs, they are not marketed. It may still be a bit "when the commercial application of technology begins to consumption.

Many changes have been proposed that milk, or add milk proteins or manipulate endogenous proteins. Recently, researchers from New Zealand developed genetically modified cows that produce milk with increased protein casein. The use of such milk is rich in protein will increase efficiency in the production of cheese. Other work aims to reduce the lactose in milk, with the intent to make milk available to the population of individuals intolerant to milk. This is an area where research is in a fairly advanced stage, with results expected to be out very soon. Indeed in some countries, GM has cow got the green light for the test, which is the first step in allowing the commercial use of the same.

Other uses of genetic modification in livestock production in the early stages of R & D include improved resistance to disease, increase fertility in sheep changed ratio in poultry, increased egg production in poultry by creating two active ovaries, and improving feed efficiency in 'Enviropig' (environmentally friendly pig excrete less phosphorus). Most of this work is still theoretical and in a very early stage of research, that estimates of time frames for possible commercial introduction of any of these applications are not in the near future. However, the mere thought of effort in this direction shows that there is tremendous potential for commercial application of these technologies.

Research is also underway to improve the quality of poultry such as chicken and early detection of the virus and develop immunity to the virus in poultry. This point has both a human and commercial chicken Virus Free is fit for human consumption, and will take the concerns about the SARS virus outbreak in many countries. It is also expected to improve the breeding of poultry and reduced mortality in poultry, leading to improved returns for poultry producers.