Biotechnology

1. Biotechnology
Biotechnology is the use of living organisms or biological processes to make
products that are useful to people. Some biotechnology techniques have been used
for thousands of years. Forexample, people have used microorganisms to produce
fermented drinks such as beer and wine, to make bread and to make yoghurt from
milk. Modern techniques of biotechnology include methods such as assisted
reproductive techniques, genetic engineering and cloning.
Application of biotechnology in animal production
Biotechnology is used in the following ways in animal production:
Animal reproduction. Techniques used to improve animal reproduction include
oestrus induction, synchronisation and super ovulation (by the use of hormones),
artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer, somatic cell nuclear transfer (NF), in
vitro maturation of embryos, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), embryo
sexing and embryo cloning.
 Animal health. Methods used to improve animal health include the
manufacture of vaccines, growth promoters (hormones), diagnostic tests for
diseases and monoclonal antibody therapy.
 Animal nutrition. Genetic modification techniques used to improve animal
nutrition include: genetic modification of forage grasses to increase palatability,
digestibility and nutritional value of forage grasses and cereal feed crops,
preservation of stored feed, biological treatment of low quality feeds to increase
nutritional value, genetic modification of rumen bacteria to improve rumen
function, genetic modification of animals to have improved feed conversion
ratios.
 Animal genetics and breeding. Gene mapping and the identification of genes
responsible for individual genetic characteristics allows screening of animals
for desirable and undesirable genes, selection of animals for breeding based on
genetic markers, gene knockout therapy and the production of transgenic
animals.
Benefits of biotechnology
Modern biotechnology techniques such as assisted reproductive techniques, genetic
engineering and cloning have the following potential benefits:
 improved productivity for farmers (by increased reproduction, growth and milk
production)

2.  improved animal health (due to faster disease diagnosis, vaccines and gene
therapy)
 improved animal nutrition (due to improved forages and feeds, improved rumen
function and improved feed conversion ratios)
 Some have argued that the use of biotechnology lends itself to improved quality
and safety of food. This area is still under investigation and perhaps it is too
early for there to be a definitive assessment in this area.
 improved welfare of animals in that some cross breed animals are more
resistant to certain diseases and the use of vaccines tend to improve the welfare
of animals
 reduction of waste through more efficient use of resources by transforming
agricultural products and organic waste into other substances.