Plant Breeding: Using 'Invisible' Chromosomes to Pass on Positive Traits

 

Researchers have found a way to keep positive traits in plants when they selectively breed. By using CRISPR technology to edit plant DNA, favored traits are able to be kept in the generations of plants. CRISPR technology was mostly used to edit genes, but now scientists have figured out how to change the structure of chromosomes. By placing favorable genes near each other, the chance of these genes being separated decreases. Researchers have also been able to make certain chromosomes invisible, which occurs in nature, but on a much smaller scale. Scientists did this on a large scale by altering the majority of the chromosome and keeping the ends the same. The chromosome was able to be passed on to the offspring without losing the genes that it carried and it was able to express the favorable traits. 

I think that another approach that scientists could have tried involves crossing over. Crossing over increases genetic variety by exchanging identical parts on homologous chromosomes. If scientists change the structure of chromosomes so that identical parts on homologous chromosomes do not look identical, then crossing over cannot occur. This keeps favorable genes in the gene pool, which is important for agriculture.

Safer Pastures, Happy Cows!

    Scientists have found a way to produce dairy cows that do not grow horns. Farmers have to routinely cut the horns of their cows because when they fight, they fight with their horns. Keeping the horns long runs the risk of the cows injuring each other. Researchers have found a way, through genetic modification, to insert an allele associated with the trait of lacking horns. The allele is called POLLED, and it is much more common in beef cattle than dairy cattle. Genetic modification was used instead of selective breeding because obtaining this trait through selective breeding could take decades, and the process of genetically modifying alleles is much shorter. 

    This discovery is not only important to farmers, but the cows as well. The dehorning process can be painful, and takes time for the farmers to complete. If the cows are born without horns in the first place, they will not have to endure the painful process of dehorning. These cows, though, are not approved by the FDA to be used for meat or for their milk, due to the negativity surrounding GMOs. The hope is that the FDA will approve these cows to be used for their food products so more farmers can utilize this discovery on their own farms. 

Goldendoodles: Glorified Mutts?

    Doodle varieties have become the newest craze in the dog breeding world. Goldendoodles, bernadoodles, labradoodles, and so many more are being sold for thousands of dollars as purebred dogs. But are doodles really purebred, or are they just glorified mutts? According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Goldendoodles are not AKC, and cannot be registered. This is because there is no breed standard for Goldendoodles or any of the doodle varieties, because there is so much variation with breeding. The main reason why Goldendoodles have become so popular is because they have to potential to be hypoallergenic like poodles, while also still possessing the fun personality of a golden retriever. The word "potential" is very important here, though. Because of the amount of variation in breeding, as seen from the diagram above, some Goldendoodles will have more or less poodle or golden retriever in them. This means that some Goldendoodles will still shed, some will have longer wiry hair, and some will have tight curly hair. There are also variations in size, coat color, and behavior. 

The Cost of Cuteness: Why Many Breeders are Reversing Years of Selective Breeding

    A condition called Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome is very common amongst some of the most popular dog breeds. Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boxers, and English Bulldogs, to name a few, are called "brachycephalic dogs", which means "short headed". While these breeds are becoming increasingly more popular and some are even considered "designer dogs", the consequences of years of selective breeding has put these dogs at great risk for major health issues. Common traits associated with Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome include elongated soft palates, malformed nostrils, and a narrow trachea. These traits make it very difficult for the dog to breathe, and is why many of these breeds snort when they breathe.

    These breeds did not always have this issue, though. Years of selective breeding favoring shorter snouts, in essence, created Brachycephalic Syndrome. The favored "smushed" snouts not only elongated the soft palate, making it difficult to breathe, but also created folds in the face, which when not cleaned properly, can house some pretty nasty infections. Their smushed faces also make it difficult for the mother to give birth, so most times brachycephalic dogs must have cesarian sections to avoid major complications during labor. Many brachycephalic dogs end up in shelters later on in life, because the families were not properly educated on the health issues associated with the breed and were unable to cover medical treatments. Many veterinarians believe that these breeds should not exist. 

    There are some responsible breeders who have taken the matter into their own hands. While other breeders profit thousands of dollars off of these designer dogs, some breeders are attempting to reverse years of selective breeding, with more selective breeding. The idea is to only breed dogs with longer snouts, in an effort to save the breeds and eliminate the major health concerns associated with them.

AquaGen Sees Tilapia As Perfect For Genetics Plan After Brazil Purchase

A Norwegian salmon genetics company, AquaGen, sees tilapia as potentially being a "global commodity source." More than 5 million metric tons of tilapia is produced around the globe. The company thinks that they can industrialize the small-scale tilapia farms that currently exist. This will then produce an "affordable and environmentally friendly" protein market. Since tilapia takes less than a year to mature, it is easy to breed, and is perfect for an application of "selective genetic breeding."

GMOs are very present in today's society. Even though personally I am not 100% for or against them, creating an extremely cheap, easily accessible, environmentally friendly protein source can benefit many developing countries in many ways, although, I will not offer my opinion on whether or not farm-raised fish should be consumed vs. wild-caught fish.

https://www.undercurrentnews.com/2016/04/13/aquagen-sees-tilapia-perfect-for-genetics-plan-after-brazil-purchase/

https://usdasucks.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/the-rise-of-tilapia/

Re-engineered Yeast Creating Your Scented Candles (and Much More!).

An article from The New York Times states that many of the spices and flavors that people have come to love can now be produced by genetically modified yeast in huge bioreactors. Flavors like vanilla, sumac, saffron come from exotic plants that are difficult to grow under normal conditions. Through the use of genetic engineering, The company called Amyris designed micro-organisms that produce the organic chemicals involved in producing the natural flavors found in plants. Amyris tests thousands of different strains in order to determine the most effective one. This type of production is environmentally friendly and completely sustainable. In fact, this fermentation process conveniently produces a higher yield at a faster rate.

Bioreactors with modified yeast.

With the advent of genetic engineering, I believe that organic-derived spices and flavorings will further increase in price while genetically modified products will be way cheaper since environmental groups are highly against this non-natural process. Honestly, I believe that genetic engineering is a more updated version of selective breeding. This article was just on flavoring, but this technique has a whole variety of uses. Potentially, this technique can be used to advance every field, ranging from food to medicine. Specifically in terms of medicine, the demand has increased dramatically. By using genetically modified organism, medicinal compounds can be created quickly and be distributed at affordable prices. With further research, synthetic biology will transform society for the better.