Pregledni rad
The use of molecular genetics in animal production
Ante Ivanković
Sažetak
During the last two decades, molecular genetics has entered numerous human activities methodologically and applicatively and is particularly used in food manufacturing, i.e. animal production. Giving the insight into the genome structure and function, formed genetic maps of domestic animals, genetic markers have become the tool of a more efficient selection, the promotion of significant production features, elimination of hereditary diseases and higher reliability in selection work. Finding direct and indirect genetic markers connected with economically significant production features of domestic animals has been a primary interest of the animal molecular genetics. By building adequate genetic markers into breeding programmes, the choice of suitable breeding individuals in the early age has been made possible, regardless of the sex, constitution, physiological status and other factors, before these economically significant manufacturing features become apparent. Hereditary diseases are efficiently discovered and treated by tests for direct DNA detection of adequate gene code errors. Particularly important is the possibility of detecting and extracting heterozygotes with a hereditary error. Checking for the existence of certain genetic disturbance is in some cases the obligation of national breeding programmes and a precondition for the access to the market of breeding material and animal products. The confirmation of a pedigree on a DNA level by a set of highly polymorphic genetic markers gives almost absolute certainty of the data correctness, i.e. it discovers accidental or intentional errors in data management. A valid confirmation of a pedigree in carrying out breeding programmes and the market exchange of breeding valid and usable animals is the obligation of all those who want to participate in global market flows. The significance of molecular genetics is unavoidable in the conservation of animal genetic resources since it gives basic ideas about the originality of breeding, the level of breeding in relationship, contamination by other genomes, the basis for establishing valid conservation breeding programmes. Molecular genetics offers great possibilities through a gene transfer and formation of transgene animals, although, in this area there are many doubts about the justification of such procedures and possible consequences of gene manipulation. Genetic markers have been efficiently used in checking the compatibility, quality and quantity of food. Molecular genetics has found its place in the animal production and the responsibility of understanding possibilities, advantages and risks, as well as buildingit in to the existing breeding programmes to the optimum, lies with us.
Ključne riječi
molecular genetics; animal production; genetic markers
Hrčak ID:
1950
URI
Datum izdavanja:
3.5.2005.
Posjeta: 5.353 *