Taiwan Establishes National Gene Bank for Livestock, Safeguarding Genetic Diversity

Taiwan's Agricultural Research Institute (ARIS) has created a national gene bank for economic animals, employing advanced ultra-low temperature cryopreservation techniques. This pioneering effort systematically preserves the genetic material of 39 vital breeds and strains of livestock, encompassing pigs, cattle, sheep, deer, chickens, ducks, and geese. The project is hailed as a "Noah's Ark" for Taiwan's economic animal genetic resources, crucial for safeguarding precious local breeds and upholding biodiversity.

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Taiwan's economic animal Noah's Ark! The Agricultural Research Institute establishes a national livestock germplasm bank.

The establishment of the gene bank is particularly timely in the face of extreme climate challenges. The preserved genetic materials, including semen, eggs, embryos, and DNA, are stored in ultra-low temperature environments. These materials represent the genetic information and life blueprints of the species. ARIS explains that the frozen semen, eggs, and embryos can be used to cultivate offspring through artificial reproduction techniques, while DNA samples preserve critical genetic data. This genetic reservoir is vital for rebuilding populations should they decline due to environmental changes.

Each livestock and poultry breed possesses unique genetic traits, such as heat tolerance, disease resistance, and adaptability to local environments. These characteristics often develop over long periods of natural evolution or through selective breeding. The loss of a breed signifies the irreversible disappearance of decades or even centuries of accumulated genetic traits, potentially leading to economic repercussions for farmers. Therefore, preserving these genetic resources is seen as securing valuable breeding material for Taiwan's future agricultural resilience against environmental adversities.

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The genetic material stored in the ultra-low temperature environment preserves the species' genetic information and life blueprint.

To mitigate the risk of genetic resource loss and diversify preservation efforts, ARIS has signed memorandums of understanding with Academia Sinica and the Taipei Zoo. This collaboration establishes an off-site backup system for animal genetic resources, creating a cross-institutional safety net for biodiversity. This distributed approach ensures greater security and accessibility of these invaluable genetic assets.

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If a breed disappears, it means the loss of genetic traits accumulated over decades or hundreds of years, and farmers may face economic impacts.