On the track of single genes

摘要

Pig breeding research has moved rapidly to the stage where it is looking at the level of individual genes. From the modern focus on molecular genetics and detecting variations in the DNA inheritance material of the animal's chromosomes, specific genesof interest are being identified or markers that are linked closely to them. The exciting possibilities that this work promises for the further improvement of key production traits were clear from many of the presentations at a recent international meeting, which brought together over 1200 geneticists from 83 countries. The meeting was the latest world congress on genetics applied to livestock production; held only every 4 years, the event in 1994 was hosted by Canada's University of Guelph and provedto be a major forum on what the future holds for pig breeding techniques.