Animal Biotechnology

The art and science of producing genetically engineered animals have advanced in the past few years. It is now possible to generate animals with useful novel properties for dairy, meat or fibre production, for environmental control of waste production, that produce useful products for biomedical purposes or other human consumption or that are nearly identical copies of animals chosen for useful traits, such as milk or meat production, pie fertility and the like. Genetically engineered poultry, swine, goats, cattle and other livestock are also beginning to be used as generators of pharmaceutical and other products, potential sources for replacement organs for humans and models for human disease. In particular, there will (probably) always be concerns regarding the use of unnecessary genes and constructs used for generation of engineered animals, the use of factors with the potential to be mobilized or otherwise contribute sequences to related environmental organisms and the effects of the technology on the welfare of the engineered animals themselves. This book sums up information about Animal Biotechnology and is a valuable tool for students as well as teachers.