Blueprint for USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Efforts in Agricultural Animal Genomics 2008-2017

摘要

Animal improvement programs have greatly increased the ability of animal agriculture to provide high quality, low cost and safe animal products to the American consumer. A large part of this change is a result of investments made by USDA in quantitative animal genetics and animal molecular biology research as well as the ability of private industry to rapidly adopt these new technologies. Investments in genomic technology, from gene discovery to sequenced genomes, and state-of-the-art technology developed by the biomedical research community, have animal agriculture poised at the threshold of the genomic revolution. Although quantitative geneticists have made tremendous progress in improving the efficiency of meat, milk, and egg production, there is still a significant need for increased production efficiency. For example, if Americans are to fully meet the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, U.S. dairy producers will need to increase annual production of milk and milk products (especially fat-free or low-fat dairy products) by an estimated 65% (Buzby et. al., 2006). In addition, by 2020-2030 world demand for meat and dairy products is expected to increase 40-50% (Rosegrant et. al., 2001; FAO, 2002), which will stimulate the competitiveness of American food animal products. Genome-enabled technologies will also lead to improvements in product quality, including nutrient-fortified lean meat, milk, and eggs to satisfy increasing demand for healthier food from aging or obese consumers. Animal genomics will also provide the ability to understand and improve genetic traits that were difficult to measure with quantitative genetics approaches (e.g., disease resistance, behavior, and stress) and will lead to enhanced functionality and well-being of animals in environmentally neutral production systems. In the near future, genome-enabled technologies will be used to trace animals and animal products throughout the food production chain resulting in enhanced biosecurity as well as increased food safety and consumer confidence. Thus, with additional USDA-supported efforts, new genomic technologies will be available to livestock and poultry producers to improve the efficiency, sustainability, biosecurity, and social acceptance of agricultural animal production.