Cows Mooved By Genome Study

The sequencing of one cow's entire genetic code could have important implications for the way we breed and raise livestock in the future. The cow now joins the ranks of the human, dog, rat, and fruit fly as one of the few animals to have its genome unraveled by scientists. The study, published today in Science, found that of the 22,000 genes in a cow’s genome, 14,000 are common to all mammals. The data also shows how cows have evolved over time and the ways humans have influenced these developments especially in the last 10,000 years.

There are practical applications for this information as well. A bull’s DNA is important in determining how much milk a daughter cow will produce. Because of the study, it will now be possible for farmers to test bulls at birth and selectively breed those with the best “lactating genes.” This will have important implications the world over as nearly 6.6 billion people (essentially the entire planet) depends on nutritional products from cows. The cow DNA map will also help humans better understand themselves. The study found that cows are much more similar to humans than are rodents, which are typically used in lab studies, though this may be unwelcome news to cows. It will take time to develop practical applications with this data, but it is obvious that farming as a profession is advancing everyday. Far from the idyllic occupation of our forefathers, today farming is on the forefront of science and technology.