Vol. 11, Special Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Manoj Kumar, Devender Choudhary, Shiv K Tyagi, Munish Gangwar, Govind Singh Dhakad, Shobha Burdak and Kiran

Abstract:
Genome editing is a potent technology that effectively modifies organisms' genomes to achieve targeted integration of exogenous genes and treatment of specified endogenous genes. The methods used to edit or modify the genome have developed from earlier attempts using nuclease technology, homing endonucleases, and specific chemical approaches. Meganuclease, transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) are examples of molecular methods that were initially developed as genome-editing tools. Due to their side effects on targets other than their intended ones, these early technologies have lesser specificity. The most recent innovation in form of CRISPR/Cas9 technology offers improved effectiveness, viability, and multi-role clinical application, which is more encouraging. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has become a potent tool for targeted mutagenesis in recent years, enabling single base substitution, multiplex gene editing, gene knockouts, and transcriptional modulation. It has become practical and advantageous to produce animals with better features using gene editing. Given the high effectiveness and low cost of genome editing tools, especially CRISPR/Cas9, it is likely that a significant number of genome edited livestock animals will be produced in the near future; therefore, it is essential to thoroughly assess the benefits they will bring to the livestock breeding industry.