Plant & Animal Genome V Conference
Town & Country Hotel, San Diego, CA, January 12-16, 1997.
PAG-V: W59 - CURRENT STATUS OF THE POULTRY GERM PLASM CONSERVATION EFFORT
W59
CURRENT STATUS OF THE POULTRY GERM PLASM CONSERVATION EFFORT
DELANY, MARY E.(1), Jacqueline M. Pisenti(2)
1. Avian Sciences, Animal Science, Meyer Hall, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
2. Genetic Resources Conservation Program, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
Genetic stocks of chicken, turkey, and coturnix quail possess a long and rich history of contribution to both basic and applied research. These stocks continue to provide premier models for the study of fundamental questions in vertebrate biology. Unfortunately, no formal conservation plan exists for avian genetic stocks. Many stocks have been eliminated and even more are facing extinction as curating researchers retire and funding erodes for baseline support of stocks at research institutions. To address this problem, the University of California Genetic Resources Conservation Program, in cooperation with the USDA/ARS and CSREES, has convened a national Avian Genetic Resources Task Force. Membership of the Task Force includes USDA representatives, academic researchers from the US and Canada, and poultry industry representatives. The primary responsibilities of the Task Force include assessment and recommendation. A detailed survey is underway to enumerate existing stocks, document recent loses, and evaluate the development of new stocks. Eighty-eight university and research institutions in the US and Canada were contacted. Sixty-three institutions responded to the survey and of those, 30 currently maintain stocks. A multi-authored Task Force Report is being prepared which reviews the value of avian genetic stocks and the disciplines that rely upon avian genetic resources. The Task Force Report will offer practical recommendations for resolution of the current problem and advocate strategies to promote long-term conservation and availability of these genetic resources.