Abstract
The gene transfer technique, transgenesis, has permitted the transfer of genes from one organism to another to create new lineages of organisms with improvement in traits important to aquaculture. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), therefore, hold promise for producing genetic improvements, such as enhanced growth rate, increased production and efficiency, disease resistance and expanded ecological ranges. The basic procedure to generate transgenic fish for aquaculture includes: (1) design and construction of transgenic DNA; (2) transfer of the gene construct into fish germ cells; (3) screening for transgenic fish; (4) determination of transgene expression and phenotype; (5) study of inheritance; and (6) selection of stable lines of transgenics.
GMOs offer economic benefits, but also pose environmental threats. Optimising the mix of benefits and risks is of fundamental importance. The potential economic benefits of transgenic technology to aquaculture are obvious. Transgenic fish production has the goal of producing food for human consumption; thus the design of genetic constructs must take into consideration the potential risks to consumer health, as well as marketing strategies and product acceptance in the market.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beardmore, J. A., 1997. Transgenics: autotransgenics and allotransgenics. Transgenic Res. 6: 107–108.
Chatakondi, N., R. T. Lovell, P. L. Duncan, M. Hayat, T. T. Chen, D. A. Powers, J. D. Weete, K. Cummins & R. A. Dunham, 1995. Body composition of transgenic common carp, Cyprinus carpio, containing rainbow trout growth hormone gene. Aquaculture 138: 1–4.
CNPq, 1998. Apoio ao crescimento da aqüicultura no Brasil. Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Boletim Informativo no. 4, Brasilia.
Devlin, R. H., T. Y. Yesaki, C. A. Biagl, E. M. Donaldson, P. Swanson & W.-K. Chan, 1994. Extraordinary salmon growth. Nature 371: 209–210.
Du, S.-J., Z. Gong, G. L. Fletcher, M. A. Shears, M. J. King, D. R. Idler & C. L. Hew, 1992. Growth enhancement in transgenic Atlantic salmon by the use of an 'all fish' chimeric growth hormone gene construct. Biotechnology 10: 176–181.
Dunham, R. A., 1999. Utilization of transgenic fish in developing countries: potential benefits and risks. J. World Aquacult. Soc. 30: 1–11.
FAO, 1997. Review of the state of world fishery resources: marine fisheries. FAO Fisheries Circular No. 920 FIRM/C920, FAO, Rome.
Haimovici, M., 1997. Recursos pesqueiros demersais da região sul. Fundação de Estudos do Mar, Rio de Janeiro.
Hew, C. L., G. Fletcher, S. Du, Z. Gong, M. Shears & P. Davies, 1991. Biotechnology in aquatic sciences: improved freezing tolerance and enhanced growth in Atlantic salmon by gene transfer. Bull. Inst. Zool. 16: 341–356.
Hew, C. L. & G. Fletcher, 1997. Transgenic fish for aquaculture. Chem. Indust. 1997: 311–314.
Hong, Y., C. Winkler & M. Schartl, 1996. Pluripotency and differentiation of embrionic stem cell lines from the medakafish (Oryzias latipes). Mech. Dev. 60: 33–44.
Khoo, H. W., L. H. Ang & H. B. Lim, 1993. Gene transfer by microinjection in the zebrafish Brachydanio rerio. In Murphy, D. & D. A. Carter (eds), Transgenesis Techniques, Principles and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology. Humana Press, Totowa, vol. 18: 87–94.
Khoo, H. W., 1995. Transgenesis and its applications in aquaculture. Asian Fish. Sci. 8: 1–25.
Maclean, N., 1998. Regulation and exploitation of transgenes in fish. Mutat. Res. 399: 255–266.
Martinez, R., 1997. Engineering the blue revolution. Seedling 14: 20–30.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 1992. The proceedings of the OECD symposium on aquatic biotechnology and food safety. O. E. C. D., Paris.
Rana, K., 1997. Recent trends in global aquaculture production: 1984–1995. FAO Aquacult. Newslt. 16: 14–19.
Sun, L., C. S. Bradford, C. Ghosh, P. Collodi & D. W. Barnes, 1995. ES-like cell cultures derived from early zebrafish embryos. Mol. mar. Biol. Biotechnol. 4: 193–199.
Wilmut, I., A. E. Schnieke, J. McWhir, A. J. Kind & K. H. S. Campbell, 1997. Viable offspring derived from fetal and adult mammalian cells. Nature 385: 810–813.
World Health Organization, 1991. Strategies for assessing the safety of foods produced by biotechnology. Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Consultation, Geneva.
Zhu, Z., G. Li, L. He & S. Chen, 1985. Novel gene transfer into the fertilized eggs of gold fish (Carassius auratus L. 1758). Zeitsch. f. angewandt Ichthyol. 1: 31–34.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Levy, J.A., Marins, L.F. & Sanchez, A. Gene transfer technology in aquaculture. Hydrobiologia 420, 91–94 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003985620718
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003985620718