This is Saturnina C. Halos of the Philippines, Bureau of Agricultural Research.
One of the major problems in livestock production services is the availability of effective vaccines in areas away from major urban centers. The vaccines available need refrigeration and are thus difficult to bring far afield. DNA vaccines may help solve this problem since DNA is relatively more stable than cells or proteins. Also, DNA amplification and processing can be done in small fermentors and centrifuges to produce enough material. Further, DNA isolation and drying is relatively straight forward. It seems to me that we in the developing countries should try this technology. This is one research project that we have just funded and we would like to know from those who have tried it what pitfalls we should expect.
As for the discussion on animal breeding, I think the value of such an effort could be maximized if the breeding program includes local/indigenous or even wild breeds. In which case, a greater genetic variability among the breeding population is expected. DNA fingerprinting of these breeds would enable us to gauge this genetic diversity. Further, we might be able to develop from such exercises, hybrids that are more responsive to the local feed materials and environment. In the Philippines, foreign breeds are used in commercial poultry and livestock raising. These breeds are very responsive to feed formula with soybean and corn components, both of which we import, and require special housing. Hence, small farmers can no longer raise their animals solely on farm by-products or kitchen waste which they used to do. Hence, this foreign breed-based technology which is promoted by the government resulted in the loss of traditional breeds and has deprived our small farmers of another income opportunity. Hog raising has traditionally been literally the "piggy bank" of small farm households or a means to convert farm by-products and kitchen refuse to disposable income. In the case of chickens, we have private individuals trying to raise organic chicken from hybrids between native and imported breeds grown on the range. This is a relatively new effort.
Saturnina C Halos ( Ph.D Genetics)
Senior Project Development Adviser ( Biotechnology)
Bureau of Agricultural Research
Department of Agriculture, Philippines
Tel. No. 63(2)920-0226, 63(49)536-3224
Fax No. 63(2)925-2965, 63(2)927-5691
halos@mozcom.com
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