Animal biotechnology

Animal biotechnology refers to the application of scientific and engineering principles to improve and augment the genetics, reproduction, health, and overall productivity of animals.^[1] It aims to improve animal production, disease resistance, and the conservation of biodiversity through the use of techniques such as genetic engineering, cloning, and selective breeding. It comprehends a wide range of practices, from improving livestock and aquaculture efficiency to assisting wildlife conservation.

History

The history of animal biotechnology traces back to early efforts in domestication, selective breeding, and artificial insemination. The formal integration of biotechnology into animal science began in the 1970s with advancements in molecular biology and the development of recombinant DNA technologies. The birth of Dolly the sheep in 1996, the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell, marked a pivotal milestone in animal cloning and demonstrated the potential for genetic manipulation in higher organisms.^[2]

Scope and classification

Animal biotechnology has traditionally been viewed through the lenses of livestock improvement and veterinary sciences. However, recent literature has proposed a structured classification of the field into three major sectors: animals, aquaculture, and forest animals.^[1] Each sector employs a variety of techniques suited to its species and conservation or productivity goals.

Animals

This sector includes biotechnology applications to domesticated and livestock species. Techniques applied include:

Accuracy of prediction for genetic and phenotypic traits
Reduction of generation intervals to accelerate breeding cycles
Increased intensity of selection to enhance desirable traits
Reproductive techniques such as multiple ovulation, embryo transfer, twinning, and selfing
Identification and application of Economical Trait Loci (ETL) and marker detection for Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL)
Discovery and use of potential candidate genes
Genetic improvement through gene transformation

These approaches collectively support improved productivity, disease resistance, and reproductive efficiency in livestock and poultry.

Aquaculture

In aquatic species, biotechnology is applied to both commercial production and biodiversity management.

Selective breeding and hybridization for performance traits
Genetic marker-assisted selection to improve accuracy of trait selection
Growth enhancement and improved disease resistance
Induction of sex reversal for population control and productivity
Polyploidy induction to increase growth rate and sterility
Cryopreservation of gametes for genetic resource conservation
Transgenic technologies for targeted trait enhancement
Advanced larval rearing techniques for survival and health
Stock enhancement programs to support aquaculture sustainability

These tools are vital for increasing efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in fish and shellfish production systems.

Forest animals

This domain focuses on wildlife species, especially those requiring conservation or genetic management. Applications include:

Analysis of genetic variance and implementation of in-vitro fertilization and cloning
Selective breeding and artificial insemination tailored for wild species
Detection of QTLs and use of embryo transfer to manage genetics
Sexing of semen and embryos, and ova pick-up techniques for reproductive control
Habitat restoration and species reintroduction for ecosystem management
Genetic diversity conservation and breeding programs for endangered species
Population monitoring and disease control in wild populations
Captive breeding and artificial insemination in wildlife
Genome mapping for forest species to guide conservation strategies

Together, these methods aim to preserve biodiversity, assist in species recovery, and support long-term ecological stability.

Applications

Animal biotechnology is applied across veterinary medicine, food production, biomedical research, and conservation biology. Genetically engineered animals have been developed for disease resistance (e.g., PRRS-resistant pigs), faster growth (e.g., AquAdvantage salmon), and biomedical research (e.g., transgenic mice expressing human genes). Additionally, animals have been used as bioreactors to produce pharmaceuticals such as antithrombin in transgenic goats.^[3]

Ethical and regulatory aspects

The use of biotechnology in animals raises important ethical and regulatory concerns. Topics such as animal welfare, genetic integrity, ecological risks, and food safety are actively debated. Regulatory frameworks vary globally; in the United States, the FDA oversees genetically engineered animals, whereas in the European Union, such applications face more stringent restrictions.^[4]^[5]^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b Siva Kiran RR and Dhamodhar P (2025). "The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Advancing Animal Biotechnology: A Review." *Archives of Razi Institute*, Articles in Press. Available here
^ Campbell, K. H. S. McWhir, J. Ritchie, W. A. and Wilmut I. (1996). "Sheep cloned by nuclear transfer from a cultured cell line". *Nature*, 380, 64–66. doi:10.1038/380064a0
^ Van Eenennaam, Alison L., and Muir, William M. (2012). "Animal Biotechnologies and Agricultural Sustainability." In: *The Role of Biotechnology in a Sustainable Food Supply*, pp. 90–105. Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. Available online
^ Rollin, Bernard E. (2004). "Biotechnology and Animals: Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Cloning." In: Kuhse, H. & Singer, P. (Eds.), *A Companion to Genethics*, pp. 70–81. Blackwell Publishing.
^ Rollin, Bernard E. (2017). "The Ethics of Animal Research: Theory and Practice." In: Kalof, L. (Ed.), *The Oxford Handbook of Animal Studies*, p. 345. Oxford University Press.
^ Van Reenen, C.G., Meuwissen, T.H.E., Hopster, H., Oldenbroek, K., Kruip, Th.A.M., and Blokhuis, H.J. (2001). "Transgenesis may affect farm animal welfare: a case for systematic risk assessment." *Journal of Animal Science*, 79(7), 1763–1779. doi:[10.2527/2001.7971763x](https://doi.org/10.2527/2001.7971763x)

[ref1-1] Siva Kiran RR and Dhamodhar P (2025). "The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Advancing Animal Biotechnology: A Review." *Archives of Razi Institute*, Articles in Press. Available here

[2] Campbell, K. H. S. McWhir, J. Ritchie, W. A. and Wilmut I. (1996). "Sheep cloned by nuclear transfer from a cultured cell line". *Nature*, 380, 64–66. doi:10.1038/380064a0

[3] Van Eenennaam, Alison L., and Muir, William M. (2012). "Animal Biotechnologies and Agricultural Sustainability." In: *The Role of Biotechnology in a Sustainable Food Supply*, pp. 90–105. Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. Available online

[4] Rollin, Bernard E. (2004). "Biotechnology and Animals: Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Cloning." In: Kuhse, H. & Singer, P. (Eds.), *A Companion to Genethics*, pp. 70–81. Blackwell Publishing.

[5] Rollin, Bernard E. (2017). "The Ethics of Animal Research: Theory and Practice." In: Kalof, L. (Ed.), *The Oxford Handbook of Animal Studies*, p. 345. Oxford University Press.

[6] Van Reenen, C.G., Meuwissen, T.H.E., Hopster, H., Oldenbroek, K., Kruip, Th.A.M., and Blokhuis, H.J. (2001). "Transgenesis may affect farm animal welfare: a case for systematic risk assessment." *Journal of Animal Science*, 79(7), 1763–1779. doi:[10.2527/2001.7971763x](https://doi.org/10.2527/2001.7971763x)

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