Summary

For many years biotechnological procedures such as artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET) have been an integral part of modern animal husbandry, and they have resulted in well-known and recognized improvements in performance in agricultural animals. But certain disadvantages could not be overcome by these techniques: the relatively slow annual rate of genetic progress (1-3%), the lack of a way to separate desirable from undesirable traits by breeding, the impossibility of transferring genetic information between species. New biotechnology and novel molecular-genetic tools already available and others under development indicate that it will be possible to overcome these limitations in the foreseeable future. Today "biotechnology in farm animals" basically includes techniques in reproductive and molecular biology intended to enhance performance, efficiency and health for sustainable animal production.

The field of reproductive biology now includes 1.) AI, 2.) ET, 3.) estrus synchronization, 4.) birth control, 5.) cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, 6.) in vitro-production (IVP) of embryos, 7.) embryo splitting, 8.) nuclear transfer (cloning), 9.) sexing. Molecular-genetic tools include 1.) genome analysis with gene mapping, analysis of individual genes and their interactions, 2.) application of recombinant substances (e.g. phytase, rbST, rpST), 3.) molecular biological diagnosis of hereditary diseases, proof of descent and identity, etc., 4.) transfer of genes. In view of the international progress in research the following theses may be proposed:

1. The complete sequencing of the genomes of important domestic animals will be achieved in the very near future.
2. The improved molecular identification of phenotypes will lead to substantial improvements in the use of genetic resources.
3. The combined use of techniques from molecular and reproductive biology will permit more efficient production and propagation of preferred phenotypes.
4. Efficient in vitro-production of embryos will permit substantially improved use of the large pool of female gametes.
5. Insemination with sex-sorted sperm will allow the production of offspring for specific production goals.
6. Cloning will make the production of transgenic domestic animals substantially more efficient and precise by application of homologous recombination.
7. Cloning and transgenic technology will open completely new perspectives both for biomedicine and for many agricultural applications, particulary in regard to diversification of production.
8. In light of the world's limited resources and increasing population, biotechnology and novel genetic-molecular tools will provide important resources for making animal production more efficient, environmentally friendly and economically viable.
9. Development and application of biotechnology and molecular-genetic tools in animal breeding must take place in the context of accompanying social and ethical debate.