Utilization of Genome Editing for Livestock Resilience in Changing Environment

Abstract

Climate change poses a significant threat to livestock production systems, including changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and the spread of diseases. The use of genome editing technologies presents a potential solution to mitigate the impacts of climate change on livestock. This paper reviewed the prospects of utilizing genome editing in mitigating the impact of climate change in livestock. Applications of genome editing in development of heat-tolerant, and disease-resistant as well as animals with improved feed and water use efficiency and reduced methane emissions are explored. Additionally, a potential breeding program for gene edited animals is proposed. There are several different genome editing techniques that can be used in livestock breeding, including CRISPR/Cas9, TALENs, and zinc-finger nucleases. These techniques involve introducing specific changes to the animal's genome, such as deleting or replacing genes, or introducing new ones. The technology has enormous potential for improving livestock breeding, as it allows for the creation of animals with desirable traits in a much shorter time frame than traditional breeding methods. Generally, it may take years or even decades to breed an animal with a specific trait using traditional breeding methods, whereas genome editing can achieve the same result in just a few generations. Genome editing can be used to mitigate the impact of climate change on livestock production by reducing the methane emissions by improving the efficiency of feed conversion and modifying the genes responsible for methane production. Technology can be utilized to improve livestock feeds by modifying genes involved in plant growth, development, and nutrient use. This lead to the creation of forages that are high yielding, more nutritious and better adapted to diverse production environments. Genome editing allows development of animals that are more resistant to diseases, which can help reduce the need for antibiotics and other treatments. This is particularly important given the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, which is a major concern in both human and animal health. Genome editing has the potential of developing animals that are thermo-tolerant, as well as animals with improved feed and water use efficiency. The proposed breeding program for gene-edited animals will ensure that the animals produced are healthy, genetically diverse, and meet the desired traits. In terms of ethical concerns, policies for genome editing ought to consider the potential for unintended consequences or the creation of animals with characteristics that are viewed as undesirable or unethical. Overall, genome editing technology has the potential to revolutionize livestock production and contribute to the global effort to mitigate the impact of climate change.