POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ON ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Animal disease is a major social and economic problem across the United States, and throughout the world. Diseases can lead to animal suffering and distress, reduced performance, and possibly even death. Infectious diseases have major negative effects on poultry and livestock production, both in terms of economics and on animal welfare. The costs of animal disease are estimated to be 35-50% of turnover within the livestock sector in developing countries, and 17 % in the developed world. Often animal disease is fought through vaccination or the use of antibiotics. However, the use of antibiotic in animal agriculture is meeting increased disapproval among consumers. In addition to enhancing animal well-being, improving animal health has the added benefit of reducing the need for veterinary interventions and the use of antibiotics and other medicinal treatments Animal biotechnology offers a number of approaches to fight disease in animals. Firstly, through genetic selection, livestock producers can select for certain genetic variations which have been associated with disease resistance. Through careful selection, they can develop populations of animals that are les