scholarly journals Genetic Modification of Animals: Potential benefits and concerns

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-174
Author(s):  
David A. Mbah ◽  
Chi Lawrence Tawah ◽  
Magellan Guewo-Fokeng
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Engineering ◽  
Genetic Modification ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Targeted Analysis ◽  
Genotype Frequencies ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
And Migration ◽  
La Modification ◽  
Gm Animals

Genetic modification (GM), a process whereby gene and genotype frequencies are changed among individuals of each generation, is driven by  natural and artificial forces. Natural forces include mutation, fitness and migration/introgression, while artificial forces include selection,  crossbreeding and transgenesis/genetic engineering. Genetic modification, driven by natural forces, is essentially adaptive, while modification driven by artificial forces is controlled by human intervention aimed at meeting food, health and other needs. Conventional genetic modification, under sexual reproduction within species, produces both beneficial and negative effects. Modern genetic modification – interspecific exchange of genes using genetic engineering – has beneficial and negative effects as well, which are at varying degrees depending on the species involved. Control/management systems/mechanisms are developed and applied to enable societal benefits while minimizing/preventing negative effects of conventional and modern genetic modification. Targeted analysis of selected nutrients in animal products is made on a case-by-case basis to test substantial equivalence of any compositional changes resulting from genetic modification. Unique identifiers are established to track GM animals and their products in the food chain. Modification génétique, processus par lequel les fréquences des gènes et des génotypes sont changes parmi les individus de chaque génération, est entraînée par des forces naturelles et artificielles. Les forces naturelles incluent la mutation, compétence de mère/père pour se  reproduire/survivre et la migration / introgression. Les forces artificielles comprennent la sélection, le croisement et la transgénèse / génie génétique. La modification génétique entraînée par les forces naturelles est essentiellement adaptative, tandis que celle entraînée par les forces artificielles est contrôlée par une intervention humaine visant à répondre aux besoins alimentaires, sanitaires et autres. La modification génétique conventionnelle, lors de la reproduction sexuelle au sein des espèces, produit des effets à la fois bénéfiques et négatifs. Modification génétique moderne - échange interspécifique de gènes par génie génétique - a également des effets bénéfiques et négatifs mais à des degrés divers selon les espèces impliquées. Des systèmes / mécanismes de contrôle / gestion sont développés et appliqués pour permettre des avantages pour la société tout en minimisant / empêchant les effets négatifs des modifications génétiques conventionnelles et modernes. Une analyse ciblée de nutriments sélectionnés dans les produits d’origine animale est effectuée au cas par cas afin de tester l’équivalence substantielle de tout changement de composition résultant d’une modification génétique. Des identifiants uniques sont établis pour suivre les animaux GM et leurs produits dans la chaîne alimentaire.

scholarly journals Didymo and Its Polysaccharide Stalks: Beneficial to the Environment or Not?

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-79
Author(s):  
Hurmat Ejaz ◽  
Esther Somanader ◽  
Uday Dave ◽  
Hermann Ehrlich ◽  
M. Azizur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Structural Component ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
The Past ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Bodies Of Water ◽  
Agricultural Setting

Didymosphenia geminata diatoms, or Didymo, was first found to be an invasive species that could have negative impacts on the environment due to the aggressive growth of its polysaccharide-based stalks. The stalks’ adhesive properties have prompted park officials to alert the general public to limit further spread and contamination of this algae to other bodies of water. Although the negative effects of Didymo have been studied in the past, recent studies have demonstrated a potential positive side to this alga. One of the potential benefits includes the structural component of the polysaccharide stalks. The origin of the polysaccharides within stalks remains unknown; however, they can be useful in a waste management and agricultural setting. The primary purpose of this study was to describe both the harmful and beneficial nature of Didymo. Important outcomes include findings related to its application in various fields such as medicine and technology. These polysaccharides can be isolated and studied closely to produce efficient solar power cells and batteries. Though they may be harmful while uncontained in nature, they appear to be very useful in the technological and medical advancement of our society.

scholarly journals The Current and Future Uses of Biotechnology in Animal Agriculture

Ceiba ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-81
Author(s):  
Alison L. Van Eenennaam
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Engineering ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Genetic Modifications ◽  
Genomic Tools

Biotechnologies have been an integral part of improvements in animal genetics, nutrition and health over the past century. Many biotechnologies have become fundamental components of efficient livestock production systems. The genetic improvements that have been enabled by biotechnologies have dramatically decreased the environmental footprint of animal protein production in many parts of the world, and continued innovation is required to address the projected increase in demand for animal products in the future. Breeding programs increasingly utilize a combination of advanced reproductive technologies and genomic tools to accelerate the rate of genetic gain by manipulating components of the breeder’s equation. The use of these biotechnologies and breeding methods has met with little public opposition. In contrast, the use of modern biotechnologies, defined as those that employ the use of in vitro nucleic acid techniques, have been highly controversial, especially those involving the use of genetic engineering. This modern biotechnology distinction is somewhat arbitrary as there are a number of biotechnologies that involve the use of in vitro processes, and many result in genetic modifications that are indistinguishable from the naturally-occurring variation that is the driver of both traditional breeding programs and evolution. A number of useful traits including disease resistance and animal welfare traits have been successfully introduced into various livestock species using both genetic engineering and gene editing techniques. Ultimately these techniques complement the genetic improvement that can be accomplished using traditional selection techniques and, if judged acceptable, offer an opportunity to synergistically accelerate genetic improvement in food animal species.

TOXICOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SAFETY OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-248
Author(s):  
V.I. Dorozhkin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Biological Safety ◽  
Livestock Products ◽  
State Registration

The article presents materials on the toxicological and biological safety of livestock products: contaminants of various natures that contaminate raw materials and food products (microorganisms, viruses, mycotoxins, parasites, heavy metals, etc.) are presented. To ensure biological and toxicological safety of livestock products and public health, the implementation of legislation, as well as decisions of the President of the Russian Federation, it is proposed to provide the development of a national innovative system for protecting animal health from the negative effects of pathogens and toxicants, including: conducting research on the development of fundamental foundations for the protection of animal health from the negative impact of ecotoxicants and veterinary and sanitary welfare, improvement of regulatory and legislative documents on the organization of quality control and safety of raw materials and food products; restoration of the procedure for state registration of diagnostic test systems, disinfectants, insectoacaricides and rodenticides; creation of the State Veterinary Pharmacological and Biological «State Veterinary Pharmaceutical Commission». For the implementation of these measures, provide federal state budgetary funding.

Leveling up the Classroom

2018 ◽  
pp. 583-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Hanus ◽  
Carlos Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Student Motivation ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Immediate Feedback ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Significant Application

Gamification continues to grow in popularity, and has significant application to education and student motivation. Because gamification is a large, encompassing concept it may be best to assess its effects by breaking down its composite features and assessing the positive and negative effects of these features. This chapter takes features including immediate feedback, use of narrative, tailored challenges, and displays of progress, and discusses popular current theories in communication and psychology to discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of each feature, placing a focus on student motivation, comparison, and self-perception. This moves to discuss practical ways to best employ gamification features, and discusses the impact of digital technology on gamification in the classroom and should be useful for researchers interested in the topic and for teachers considering how to best gamify their classrooms.

Parasitic Crustaceans

2020 ◽  
pp. 401-434
Author(s):  
Barbara F. Nowak ◽  
Melissa B. Martin ◽  
Sebastián Boltaña
Keyword(s):  
Economic Impacts ◽  
Aquatic Species ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Chemical Treatments ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Commercially Important ◽  
Fish And Shellfish ◽  
Crustacean Parasites ◽  
Important Fish

This chapter provides a brief overview of crustacean parasites that infect commercially important fish and shellfish. Crustaceans are a diverse group of arthropods, with over 60,000 species that are significant to the aquaculture and fisheries sector, including parasitic species affecting other crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes. This chapter focuses on parasitic caligid copepods (sea lice), cymothoid isopods, and pea crabs of high economic impacts on commercially important aquatic species. The biology of the parasites, their effects on their hosts, the epidemiology of the infections, and economic impacts of these groups are described. Chemical treatments and husbandry modifications as management options for a range of crustacean parasites are presented, which includes the use of cleaner fish to remove parasites, specially designed cages to reduce infestation of parasites, or moving farms to deeper waters. The utilization of crustacean parasites as marine pest controls is further discussed, with emphasis on either its potential benefits or the negative effects on native crab populations. Despite the continuous adverse impacts parasitic crustaceans have on aquaculture, the progressive understanding of their biology and ecology may eventually lead to mitigation, if not complete eradication, of the parasites.

scholarly journals Health Properties and Composition of Honeysuckle Berry Lonicera caerulea L. An Update on Recent Studies

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gołba ◽  
Sokół-Łętowska ◽  
Kucharska
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
European Union ◽  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Lonicera Caerulea ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Hydroxybenzoic Acids ◽  
High Concentrations

Lonicera caerulea L., also known as haskap or honeysuckle berry, is a fruit commonly planted in eastern Europe, Canada and Asia. The fruit was registered as a traditional food from a third country under European Union regulations only on December 2018. It is resistant to cold, pests, various soil acidities and diseases. However, its attractiveness is associated mostly with its health properties. The fruit shows anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity—important factors in improving health. These features result from the diverse content of phytochemicals in honeysuckle berries with high concentrations of phytocompounds, mainly hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavanols, flavones, isoflavones, flavonols, flavanones and anthocyanins but also iridoids, present in the fruit in exceptional amounts. The content and health properties of the fruit were identified to be dependent on cultivar, genotype and the place of harvesting. Great potential benefits of this nutritious food are its ability to minimize the negative effects of UV radiation, diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases, and to exert hepato- and cardioprotective activity.

Targeting IL-17 attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension through downregulation of β-catenin

Thorax ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 564-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Wang ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Wang Wang ◽  
Xianmei Qi ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Antibody Assays ◽  
Coculture Model ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Arterial Endothelial Cells

BackgroundThe role of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) remains unclear. This study is designed to explore whether IL-17 is a potential target for HPH treatment.MethodsClinic samples from the lung tissue and serum were obtained from qualified patients. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and/or ELISA were used to measure the expression of relevant proteins. HPH models were established in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and IL-17−/− mice and were treated with exogenous recombinant mouse IL-17 (rmIL-17) or an IL-17 neutralising antibody. Assays for cell proliferation, angiogenesis and adhesion were employed to analyse the behaviours of human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs). A non-contact Transwell coculture model was used to evaluate intercellular interactions.ResultsExpression of IL-17 was increased in lung tissue of both patients with bronchiectasis/COPD-associated PH and HPH mouse model. Compared with WT mice, IL-17−/− mice had attenuated HPH, whereas administration of rmIL-17 aggravated HPH. In vitro, recombinant human IL-17 (rhIL-17) promoted proliferation, angiogenesis and adhesion in HPAECs through upregulation of Wnt3a/β-catenin/CyclinD1 pathway, and siRNA-mediated knockdown of β-catenin almost completely reversed this IL-17-mediated phenomena. IL-17 promoted the proliferation but not the migration of human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) cocultured with HPAECs under both normoxia and hypoxia, but IL-17 had no direct effect on proliferation and migration of HPASMCs. Blockade of IL-17 with a neutralising antibody attenuated HPH in WT mice.ConclusionsIL-17 contributes to the pathogenesis of HPH through upregulation of β-catenin expression. Targeting IL-17 might provide potential benefits for alternative therapeutic strategies for HPH.

scholarly journals Comparison of PRKAG3 and RYR1 gene effect on carcass traits and meat quality in Slovenian commercial pigs

2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 149-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Škrlep ◽  
T. Kavar ◽  
M. Čandek-Potokar
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Drip Loss ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Large White ◽  
Maternal Line ◽  
Paternal Line ◽  
Genotype Frequencies ◽  
Subjective Score ◽  
Colour Parameters

The effect of polymorphisms at <I>PRKAG3</I> (<I>R200Q</I> and <I>I199V</I>) and <I>RYR1</I> (<I>R615C</I>) genes on carcass traits and meat quality was examined in a sample of 257 commercial pigs, crosses of Landrace × Large White as maternal line and Pietrain (<I>N</I> = 96), Pietrain × Landrace (<I>N</I> = 42) or Pietrain × Hampshire (<I>N</I> = 119) as paternal line. Pigs were genotyped (PCR-RFLP) and traits of interest were measured (which included carcass and ham weight, measurements of fatness, meatiness, ultimate pH, colour parameters and drip loss). The observed genotype frequencies at <I>PRKAG3</I> gene were 9.7%, 38.9%, 32.7%, 6.2% and 12.5% for <I>R/R-I/I, R/R-I/V, R/R-V/V, Q/R-I/V</I> and <I>Q/R-V/V</I> genotype, respectively. <I>RYR1</I> genotype frequencies were 57.2% for <I>N/N</I> and 42.8% for <I>N/n</I> genotype. Studied polymorphisms exhibited a significant effect on meat quality, but mainly an insignificant effect on carcass traits. No significant interaction between <I>PRKAG3</I> and <I>RYR1</I> was found. Carriers of <I>RYR1</I> mutant allele “<I>n</I>” had less intense <I>longissimus dorsi</I> muscle colour (subjective score, Minolta <I>L</I>* and <I>b</I>*) and higher drip loss. Regarding <I>PRKAG3</I>, the ultimate pH decreased and Minolta <I>L</I>*, <I>a</I>*, <I>b</I>* and drip loss increased in the following order: <I>R/R-I/I, R/R-I/V, R/R-V/V, Q/R-I/V</I> and <I>Q/R-V/V</I>, according to the presence of <I>199I</I> and absence of <I>200Q</I> alleles. The study shows that the <I>I199V</I> polymorphism is an important source of variation in pigs free of <I>200Q</I>. In particular the <I>199I</I> proves beneficial for meat quality. The results of combining the <I>RYR1</I> and <I>PRKAG3</I> genotypes indicate that <I>R/R-I/I</I> genotype could be used in counterbalancing the negative effects of “<I>n</I>” allele on meat quality.<B></B>

scholarly journals A Tetrahydrofolate-Dependent Methyltransferase Catalyzing the Demethylation of Dicamba in Sphingomonas sp. Strain Ndbn-20

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (18) ◽  
pp. 5621-5630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Yao ◽  
Lin-Lu Yu ◽  
Jun-Jie Zhang ◽  
Xiang-Ting Xie ◽  
Qing Tao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Genetic Engineering ◽  
Transcriptional Unit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Enhanced Resistance ◽  
Methyltransferase Gene ◽  
Suitable Target ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
And Migration

ABSTRACTSphingomonassp. strain Ndbn-20 degrades and utilizes the herbicide dicamba as its sole carbon and energy source. In the present study, a tetrahydrofolate (THF)-dependent dicamba methyltransferase gene,dmt, was cloned from the strain, and three other genes,metF,dhc, andpurU, which are involved in THF metabolism, were found to be located downstream ofdmt. A transcriptional study revealed that the four genes constituted one transcriptional unit that was constitutively transcribed. Lysates of cells grown with glucose or dicamba exhibited almost the same activities, which further suggested that thedmtgene is constitutively expressed in the strain. Dmt shared 46% and 45% identities with the methyltransferases DesA and LigM fromSphingomonas paucimobilisSYK-6, respectively. The purified Dmt catalyzed the transfer of methyl from dicamba to THF to form the herbicidally inactive metabolite 3,6-dichlorosalicylic acid (DCSA) and 5-methyl-THF. The activity of Dmt was inhibited by 5-methyl-THF but not by DCSA. The introduction of a codon-optimizeddmtgene intoArabidopsis thalianaenhanced resistance against dicamba. In conclusion, this study identified a THF-dependent dicamba methyltransferase, Dmt, with potential applications for the genetic engineering of dicamba-resistant crops.IMPORTANCEDicamba is a very important herbicide that is widely used to control more than 200 types of broadleaf weeds and is a suitable target herbicide for the engineering of herbicide-resistant transgenic crops. A study of the mechanism of dicamba metabolism by soil microorganisms will benefit studies of its dissipation, transformation, and migration in the environment. This study identified a THF-dependent methyltransferase, Dmt, capable of catalyzing dicamba demethylation inSphingomonassp. Ndbn-20, and a preliminary study of its enzymatic characteristics was performed. Introduction of a codon-optimizeddmtgene intoArabidopsis thalianaenhanced resistance against dicamba, suggesting that thedmtgene has potential applications for the genetic engineering of herbicide-resistant crops.

Welfare Phenotyping of Genetically-Modified Mice

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-186
Author(s):  
Margaret Rose
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Gene Environment ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Matters Of Concern ◽  
And Function ◽  
Gm Animals ◽  
The Impact

Technologies that enable the targeted manipulation of the genome have created new opportunities to study the role and interplay of specific genes in both the regulation and function of physiological and behavioural processes and in the development of pathological conditions. Despite the potential benefits, there are ethical issues in relation to the application of these technologies, some of which relate to the impact on the welfare of the animals involved. Matters of concern include the methods involved in the derivation and production of genetically-modified (GM) animals and resulting phenotypes, where animal welfare is compromised. In the case of the latter, this may be the predicted consequence of the genetic modification, but the occurrence of unforeseen animal welfare complications is a major challenge in the management of GM animals. There has been a rapid escalation in the development of new GM lines, most of them involving mice. Databases of available lines have been developed by national and international consortia, and researchers have developed standard protocols to describe the phenotype of a new line; increasingly, such data are entered into these databases. The inclusion of animal welfare assessments with these data would provide a powerful and sophisticated tool to promote refinement. The scope, level and frequency of monitoring would facilitate the identification of unpredicted effects and the management of humane endpoints, and would identify opportunities to manage the animals so as to ameliorate negative impacts. Furthermore, by highlighting the subtleties of gene–environment interactions, such data have wider implications in achieving the goals of refinement.

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