Availability, Uses and Limitations of Molecular Markers in Production Animal Species

Abstract

Due to the expansion of agro-industry and the emergence of new consuming markets, consumers are making greater demands for large-scale quality production coupled to lower production costs, with high financial gains for the production chain. One of the most important technologies with high quality production and low costs comprises molecular markers that perform genetic mutations faster and faster within a population. The development of such biotechnology should take into consideration the benefits and liabilities that molecular markers provide to the agro-industry and thus whether the production chain should accept or reject the technology. Current research surveys commercial molecular markers in production animals and investigates the manner they are used. Investigation also indicates which factors determine the use of the technique and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages in the use of biotechnology in agro-industry. Molecular markers may improve the selection methods for phenotype and genotype characteristics which trigger an increase in the product’s quantity and quality and which bring forth resistance to factors that decrease production level. In the near future, the use of molecular markers will undoubtedly be an indispensable tool in the genetic selection of production animals.