Avian Genetic Resources
Although the mapping of the chicken genome
is almost complete, it is important that
poultry and avian genetic stock be available
for further genetic research studies. Those
stocks, which include unique genetic lines,
are essential for addressing important questions
in the biomedical, basic biological, and
agricultural sciences. NIFA is working
in several ways to insure the long-term availability
of avian genetic stock, though the support
of a recently launched Web site and a related
symposium.
In 2005, with funding from the NIFA Plant
and Animal Sciences unit, a University of
California-Davis team, led by Dr. Mary E.
Delany, developed a Web
site with detailed stock and curator
listing of avian research stocks available
for the biological research community. The
Web site information updates the 1995 “Avian
Genetic Resources at Risk: An Assessment
and Proposal for Conservation of Genetic
Stocks in the USA and Canada,” produced
by the Avian Genetic Resources Task Force,
which consisted of a composite of researchers
from academia and industry.
Additionally, NIFA organized a symposium, “Conservation
of Avian Genetic Resources: Current Opportunities
and Challenges,” at the 2005 annual
Poultry Science Association meeting where
academic and industry experts gathered to
address historical and contemporary aspects
of genetic conservation of avian genetic
stocks. There was group consensus on the
need to conserve avian resources, but that
the focus of existing and future poultry
stock facilities should go beyond maintenance
and involve scientific and research functions
including the training of students. Symposium
results will be published in the January
2006 Poultry Science Journal.
For more information, contact Muquarrab
Qureshi, NIFA Plant and Animal Systems
National Program Leader.
Back to Animal Breeding, Genetics, & Genomics Home Page |
