I have made remarks here on my blog about CRISPR gene technology as well as a few posts on gene editing and its relevance to modern agriculture and science in general. I think it is a marvellous technology tool with enormous potential for variety improvement in agriculture.
A recent post highlighted the fact that the USDA has concluded that using CRISPR gene editing is not the same as creating GMO varieties - as no transgenic change occurs. This allows a less ardous pathway to commercial use for new products developed through this technology, as they are not GMOs.
The comment below by Bill Gates [the one from Microsoft!] might have more clout than me, but he is a strong supporter of genetic improvements across a wide field and now has close contact with eminent researchers through heading the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which supports international research and development. And he supports CRISPR work generally.
It is worth reading..........
link below:
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2018-04-10/gene-editing-good?cid=nlc-emc-paywall-free-reading-bill-gates-a-20180411
Showing posts with label gene editing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gene editing. Show all posts
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Friday, October 21, 2016
Gene Editing - Developing A Hornless Cow
Gene editing potentially offers a fast track to some significant breakthroughs in genetics.
A recent case is relevant with hornless cows developed through some simple gene editing.
The story goes like this.........
Dairy cows, which come from the Holstein breed, naturally grow horns. On farms, the horns are often physically removed because they can pose a threat to other cows, a well as to farm workers handling the cattle.
But a group of researchers from the University of California, Davis has developed a method to remove the horns through gene-editing.
The team inserted a gene from the naturally hornless Angus breed to create hornless Holsteins [ often called Friesian cows in Australia].
Have the researchers developed a new type of cow, or are they just speeding up the breeding process?
Animal geneticist Alison Van Eenennaam, who led the research, and Jennifer Kuzma from the Genetic Engineering and Society Center talk about the future of biotechnology in agriculture, what defines a “genetically modified organism,” and how these technologies might be regulated.
Many regulatory authorities do not categorise gene editing as GM technology, as it is dealing with genes within the same species most commonly.
Whatever........it certainly offers a neat way to develop hornless cattle in breeds where horns are more common, as it is well known that horned cattle are prone to more damage and certainly have a reputation with causing injury to stock handlers, and themselves.
A recent case is relevant with hornless cows developed through some simple gene editing.
The story goes like this.........
Dairy cows, which come from the Holstein breed, naturally grow horns. On farms, the horns are often physically removed because they can pose a threat to other cows, a well as to farm workers handling the cattle.
 |
| typical Friesian heifer - note horns |
But a group of researchers from the University of California, Davis has developed a method to remove the horns through gene-editing.
The team inserted a gene from the naturally hornless Angus breed to create hornless Holsteins [ often called Friesian cows in Australia].
Have the researchers developed a new type of cow, or are they just speeding up the breeding process?
Animal geneticist Alison Van Eenennaam, who led the research, and Jennifer Kuzma from the Genetic Engineering and Society Center talk about the future of biotechnology in agriculture, what defines a “genetically modified organism,” and how these technologies might be regulated.
Many regulatory authorities do not categorise gene editing as GM technology, as it is dealing with genes within the same species most commonly.
Whatever........it certainly offers a neat way to develop hornless cattle in breeds where horns are more common, as it is well known that horned cattle are prone to more damage and certainly have a reputation with causing injury to stock handlers, and themselves.
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