Is life delicate, or is it strong?

On Sept 3, 2007, scientists from the International Livestock Research institute and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization released a report on ‘The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources’. This new report is the first ever analysis of the current state and future trends of animal genetic resources. It indicates that during the last five years within the group of animals used by humans as livestock one breed has become extinct per month; twenty percent of existing breeds are considered to be at risk and the genetic diversity of remaining breeds are also declining.

At a glance, those of us who are non-experts may believe that the issue does not appear to be serious. Certainly it must be true that since the majority of the global supply of milk, meat and eggs is produced by a handful of high-output animal breeds, if we preserve and protect these ‘industrialised’ breeds, then this is enough of a safeguard for our future agricultural needs.

Unfortunately, this will not be enough.

The report highlights the need for global co-operation to help sustain the biodiversity of animal species used for food and agriculture. Biodiversity refers generally to the degree of variety of living things within a specific area, region – or even the entire earth. Simply, the greater the amount of species present – the greater the biodiversity. But why is a great number of species beneficial to agriculture?

The greatest reason for maintaining biodiversity is having access to breeds which may be resistant to specific varieties of disease. Animals used for large-scale agriculture are bred for particular characteristics which they will then all share. However, bacteria and viruses cannot be managed in this way – they continue to move from host-to-host and in some cases evolving / mutating into strains of diseases not seen previously. If at some point in the future, all of the chickens in one particular region were of the same breed, there is a chance that a single disease could wipe them all out. Knowing which breeds of agricultural animal are immune or resistant to disease would allow cross-breeding to pass these characteristics on to offspring, or an all-out replacement of an existing breed of farm animal.

The problem is that many detailed studies of animals suitable for agriculture have yet to take place. Without study, scientists don’t have any information to determine what a breed’s abilities may be in regards to defence against a specific disease. As well, with each extinction, there are less possible genetic variations available to scientists and agricultural managers. Since it’s not always obvious which animals may prove to be the source of a valuable genetic characteristic the best option is to ensure that existing breeds do not go extinct – or in the extremely worst case situation –genetic data is captured prior to a breed’s demise and can be studied or used at a later date.

Disease resistant characteristics may not be the only genetic resource contained within a biodiverse group. Some breeds may have the fortitude to survive in adverse climates, such as those which are very hot or very cold – and some may mature quicker than others or have the ability to thrive on a different type or amount of food.