Animal biotech breeding and reproduction: A new engine for high-quality development of animal husbandry

Abstract

Animal-based products, such as meat, eggs, milk, and their by-products, serve as the predominant protein sources for humans and are vital for supporting physiological functions. Animal proteins align more closely with our nutritional requirements compared to plant-based proteins. With the ever-growing global population, the demand for these fundamental food sources is increasing. Globally, about 97.64 million tons of livestock products, including meat, eggs, and milk, are consumed annually, accounting for nearly 48% of all feed grain usage. Nevertheless, the livestock industry imposes a substantial environmental footprint, contributing to 57% of the total CO₂ emissions from food production. Amidst escalating resource limitations and evolving geopolitical dynamics, the security of our livestock food supply is in threat. To address these challenges, the livestock sector must prioritize high-quality growth through innovative scientific and technological breakthroughs.

Exceptional livestock and poultry breeds contribute over 40% to the advancement of the livestock industry and are instrumental in enhancing its productivity. The integration of biotechnology, information technology, and artificial intelligence is driving animal breeding into a more efficient and precise phase known as Animal Breeding 4.0. A new wave of high-efficiency breeding technologies, exemplified by genomic selection (GS), gene editing, and in vitro embryo production accelerates targeted animal breeding significantly by enhancing breeding efficiency and reducing the breeding cycle time. GS has been widely adopted for cattle, pig, and sheep breeding, cutting breeding costs by 90% and boosting the genetic progress of critical traits by 50%. The industrialization of genetically modified animals is gaining momentum and promises to offer competitive advantages over conventional breeding methods. Currently, several types of gene-edited animals have passed safety evaluations, including GalSafe, a gene-knockout pig approved by the U.S. FDA in 2020, gene-edited heat stress-resistant beef cattle approved by the U.S. FDA in 2022, and gene-edited tiger puffer-fish and red snapper approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in 2021. With the progression of multi-omics technology, key trait-related functional genes in livestock and poultry are continually being uncovered. The application of novel biological breeding techniques is anticipated to generate more diverse livestock and poultry varieties with high-yield, high-quality, disease-resistant, and environmentally friendly phenotypes.

This special issue, entitled Animal Biotech Breeding and Reproduction, is designed to facilitate academic dialog in this special domain, fostering the convergence of significant insights, breakthroughs, technological advancements, and industrial growth in the areas of molecular breeding and reproduction. The scope is to accelerate the pace of scientific and technological innovation within the field of animal breeding. By enhancing academic investigations and dialog, we can continually refine the associated technologies and establish a robust, efficient, and sustainable framework for animal food production. The industrialization of animal biotech breeding is facing numerous obstacles and hurdles worldwide. Engaging in collaborative research and partnerships will undoubtedly catalyze greater innovation and resilience to tackle these challenges effectively.

In conclusion, the integration of biotech breeding with more efficient, advanced reproductive technologies represents a pivotal frontier in scientific and technological innovation within the animal breeding sector. The rapid advancements in biological breeding technologies will significantly enhance the productivity of livestock and poultry and offer crucial technical support for the high-quality growth of the livestock industry. These technologies provide a vital avenue for securing a robust animal-based food supply.

Yong Zhang: Conceptualization; methodology; writing—review & editing; project administration; writing—original draft. Jun Liu: Writing—review & editing; conceptualization; methodology; writing—original draft.

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