Biological progress in agriculture – impact of genomics and genetic modifications

Abstract

Rapid progress of molecular genetics, cytogenetics and bioinformatics resulted in extensive studies of genome organization. Nowadays marker genome maps, as well as, genome sequences have been described for major livestock and crop species and this knowledge is commonly used in selection and searching for polymorphism responsible for phenotypic variation. On the other hand, genetic engineering facilitates creation of genetically modified organisms, including crops and livestock species. Since 1996 worldwide, annual use of genetically modified crops (mainly soya bean and maize) is constantly increasing and reached level of approx. 160 mln ha. It is foreseen that in a near future genetically modified livestock will be used for production of therapeutic peptides, since the first recombinant drug, produced by transgenic goats, was recently accepted for the use in human medicine.