The future use of cytogenetics in the manipulation of domestic animal populations

Extract

Although the dairy industries of most countries have improved production consider-ably by the use of classical genetics applied through artificial breeding, the application of genetics to veterinary problems is now being somewhat dogged by the same concept. It is said frequently that a certain condition has a genetical cause or basis but beyond the rather primitive steps of removing the sire or the dam from the particular flock, herd, stable or kennel we are unaware of the potential of highly accurate techniques which are becoming available for genetical “therapy”. Many of these techniques could soon be finding everyday application to livestock problems.