Recent Developments
Genetic selection of livestock is currently navigating through a genomic era promoted by advances in DNA technologies. For instance, massive amounts of genomic information are incorporated into the prediction of genetic merit providing higher predictive accuracy. This increment has led to important changes in the animal breeding industry. New advances continue, and efforts are currently placed in whole genome sequencing for its future implementation to improve accuracy of genomic selection or mapping new QTL of interest.
About 75% of the new diseases that have affected humans over the past 10 years have been caused by pathogens originating from an animal or from products of animal origin. Many of these diseases have the potential to spread through various means over long distances and to become global problems. In addition a number of well-known and preventable animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans (i.e. zoonoses) such as rabies, brucellosis, leishmaniasis and echinococcosis continue to occur in many countries especially in the developing world where they mostly affect the poorest segment of the human population. They cause a serious amount of deaths and millions of affected people every year. All major zoonotic diseases prevent the efficient production of food of animal origin, particularly of much-needed proteins, and create obstacles to international trade in animals and animal products. They are thus an impediment to overall socioeconomic development.
- Post-genomic future for genetic selection of livestock
- Veterinary Extension
- Emerging therapeutic products
- Meat and allied industries
- Veterinary Public Health and Zoonosis