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Accurate breeding of "super" animals
"Basic Research on the Molecular Biology of Agricultural Animal Genetic Breeding and Cloning" was the first 973 project in the field of animal husbandry and genetics in China. It can be considered the "national team" of agricultural animal genetic breeding in the country. Since the 1990s, global animal breeding has entered the molecular stage, evolving toward rapidly changing genotypes. More and more animal cloning has become a core technology in the expansion of breeds. Creating high-quality "super" animals has become a dream for many agrozoological scientists, including the researchers involved in this 973 project.
According to predictions from developed Western countries like the U.S. and the UK, as well as the FAO, 20% of global animal agricultural varieties in the 21st century will be developed through molecular breeding, with the contribution of these varieties to overall production exceeding 50%. Variety is the key driver of agricultural development. Expanding high-quality breeds is one of the central goals of agricultural animal breeding, directly influencing the efficiency of agricultural production. With superior breeds and advanced propagation techniques, it's possible to achieve higher output with the same level of investment.
The reporter asked whether there are scientific statistics on the contribution of animal genetics and breeding using molecular technologies to agricultural growth. Li Ning responded that among the factors affecting efficient and high-quality production of agricultural animals, the role of genetics and breeding is significant. According to the USDA's summary in 1996, variety improvement ranked first among all technologies, accounting for 40%, far surpassing nutrition (20%), disease control (15%), and breeding (10%). This is why developed countries invest heavily in genetic breeding.
Western governments, large-scale breeding companies, and scientists predicted early in this century the potential of using genome research to improve agricultural species. For example, milk yield in developed countries reached 9,000 kg per cow, expected to rise to 12,000 kg by 2005 and 18,000 kg by 2015, while China’s current level is only 6,000 kg. Similarly, daily weight gain in pigs in developed countries is 900 g/day, expected to reach 1,200 g/day by 2005 and 1,600 g/day by 2015, compared to China's 550 g/day. If China's aquaculture industry adopts the latest genomic research, it could double its output without increasing input.
The reporter asked about the details of the "Basic Research on the Molecular Biology of Agricultural Animal Genetic Breeding and Cloning" project, which is the first 973 project in the field of animal husbandry and genetics. Li Ning explained that the project consists of three parts: functional genomic research on important economic traits, the mechanism of super-high-yield breeding, and molecular studies on cloned animals. The project involves multiple institutions, including China Agricultural University, the Institute of Hydrobiology, and the Kunming Institute of Zoology. Initially planned as nine sub-topics, it was later consolidated into six.
When asked about the specific content of the three parts, Li Ning explained that the first part focuses on functional genomics, identifying regions of the genome associated with yield and quality. The second part explores methods like marker-assisted selection and crossbreeding to achieve super-high yields, based on a clear understanding of the genome. The third part uses cloning to rapidly propagate superior breeds. China's rich genetic resources, such as the high-litter size of local pig breeds and the excellent meat quality of Xiang pigs and Qinchuan cattle, provide valuable materials for breeding.
The project also established a resource bank of major agricultural animals in China, collecting DNA samples from over 9,000 animals across 22 provinces. These efforts have contributed to the study of species evolution and conservation, with results published in journals like *Science* and *Animal Genetics*. In terms of heterogeneous cloning, the project achieved breakthroughs, including successful experiments between different species like squid and fish, and even pandas and black bears.
After five years, the project produced 634 papers, 245 SCI-indexed articles, 9 patents, and trained numerous researchers. Looking ahead, the next phase will focus on pigs and chickens, two major livestock species, aiming to accelerate China's animal agriculture development through advanced molecular breeding and cloning technologies.