2006-06-08
Author: AM 1250/Mix 96 News
The federal government is supporting the establishment of a Canadian Livestock Genetics Conservatory.  Agriculture Canada is putting more than $1 million towards the project which will be headquartered at the University of Saskatchewan.  Dr. Norman Rawlings says decades of breeding for particular production traits has jeopardized the diversity of this country's farm animal genetics.  He adds that has left the population potentially ripe for a disease outbreak which they do not have genetic immunity against.  The program will be a combination of research and gene bank for cattle, pigs, poultry and other livestock.  It will acquire, maintain, and distribute genetic resources and information about breeds and genetic material to scientists across the country.  Those researchers will characterize, evaluate, and analyze existing genetic diversity and monitor it for change.