Transgenic livestock: Progress and prospects for the future

The notion of directly introducing new genes or otherwise directly manipulating the genotype of an animal is conceptually straightforward and appealing because of the speed and precision with which phenotypic changes could be made. Thus, it is of little wonder that the imagination of many an animal scientist has been captivated by the success others have achieved by introducing foreign genes into mice. private sector has embraced transgenic livestock technology resulting in formation of two new industries. However, before transgenic farm animals become a common component of the livestock production industry, a number of formidable hurdles must be overcome. In this brief communication, the technical challenges are enumerated and possible solutions are discussed.