Livestock Genomics in Developing Countries

摘要

The recent reports on the bovine genome in the 24 April issue ("The genome sequence of taurine cattle: A window to ruminant biology and evolution," The Bovine Sequencing and Analysis Consortium et al., p. 522, and "Genome-wide survey of SNP variation uncovers the genetic structure of cattle breeds," The Bovine HapMap Consortium, p. 528) highlight the enormous potential of genomics to increase the understanding of genetic variation of livestock and to provide benefits for well-planned utilization of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture. Genomic selection (7) is already being applied to commercial livestock populations and is expected to increase selection response and decrease the costs of phenotyping relative to conventional approaches. The opportunities of genomics may be even greater for local breeds, in developing countries, assuming that complementary animal identification and recording can be established. Genetic variation is greater than in commercial breeds and projected increases in demand for animal products are much larger in developing than developed countries (2).