|Bicar, Earl - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY|
Submitted to: Conference Proceedings of Canadian Society of Animal Science
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 15, 2003
Publication Date: June 15, 2003
Citation: SCOTT, M.P., BICAR, E.H. BIOTECHNOLOGY ENHANCED CROPS FOR IMPROVED ANIMAL HEALTH. CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS OF CANADIAN SOCIETY OF ANIMAL SCIENCE. 2003. Interpretive Summary: The cost of animal feed contributes significantly to the overall cost of meat production. Feed supplements that are required to ensure animal health and optimal growth increase the cost of feed. Some of these supplements can be produced in the crops on which the feed is based, such as maize. This reduces the cost of supplementation dramatically and allows the use of supplements that are prohibitively expensive otherwise. This in turn reduces the cost of feed, making meat production more economical. This research will benefit producers, processors, and consumers of meat and meat products.
Technical Abstract: Genetic engineering technology has created opportunities to develop feed crops such as maize with animal health benefits. Edible vaccines, improved amino acid balance, increased vitamin content, and bioactive molecules can be incorporated into transgenic maize plants. We have produced transgenic maize plants containing alpha lactalbumin, a milk protein with potential health benefits, in the grain. Lines producing high levels of this protein had an improved amino acid balance.