On June 30, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a notice on the public consultation on the “Administrative Measures for Breeding Livestock and Poultry Production and Operation Licenses (Draft for Comments)”, which is open for one month for public comments. BIOLOGY AND SCIENCE ETHICS (BASE), China Foundation for Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development, responded positively to the call and, after careful study and in-depth discussion, put forward several suggestions. Firstly, CBCGDF BASE suggests that more attention should be paid to Digital Sequence Information (DSI) of genetic resources in the measures, and that DSI-related provisions should be included.
Credit: Official website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Recommendation 1: It is suggested to add provisions on Digital Sequence Information (DSI) of genetic resources.
Reason: In the future, the management of agricultural and livestock germplasm resources will increasingly involve the issue of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) of Genetic Resources, which refers to the sequencing of an organism's genome and its conversion into digitized sequence data. In the field of genetics and genomics, DSI is widely used to study and analyze the genetic information of species. In genetic improvement and breeding, DSI can be used in the research and practice of genetic improvement and breeding. By analyzing the genome sequence of a species, genes or loci associated with traits can be identified to assist in the selection of superior individuals for breeding and propagation in order to improve the traits and yields of crops, livestock and other economic species.
Globally, today a variety of biotechnologies have been developed and successfully applied to improve the efficiency of dairy and meat production systems, and improving the genetics of farm animals is an important task for researchers and animal breeders. The widespread use of biotechnology in animal production systems has had a significant impact on genetic progress. Different types of biotechnology have an impact on different aspects of genetic progress such as selection accuracy, generation spacing, selection intensity and genetic variance. Currently, biotechnology is widely used in animal production, not only to increase the number of animals to meet the global demand for animal products, but also to improve reproduction of endangered species and maintenance of genetic diversity. Biotechnology can also help to improve animal production in a number of ways, such as increasing the rate of livestock reproduction, improving the quantity and quality of animal products, promoting growth and improving the efficiency of nutrient intake. A number of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as artificial insemination (AI), multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET), in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg pick-up (OPU), cloning, and sexing of semen and embryos can have a significant impact on the efficiency of male and female reproduction. These biotechnologies have important implications for the dissemination of good germplasm and selection strength. Animal breeding and genetic improvement are significantly affected by assisted reproductive technologies such as AI and embryo transfer techniques. On the other hand, these biotechnologies may reduce genetic variability by indirectly affecting it.
Pics credit: CBCGDF
Although the current governance issues posed by Digital Sequence Information (DSI) of Genetic Resources are not yet apparent, given that each revision of the “Administrative Measures for Breeding Livestock and Poultry Production and Operation Licenses” in the past has to span 6-20 years (from the promulgation of the Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) No. 4 in 1998, to the revision of the Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) No. 38 in 2004, and the beginning of the revision in 2023, which spans 6 and 20 years, respectively), therefore , this latest revision should take into account a series of regulatory challenges brought about by rapid technological development. Together with the Opinions on Strengthening Ethical Governance of Science and Technology issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the General Office of the State Council in March 2022, it is clearly stated that, "Improve the level of rule of law in the ethical governance of science and technology. Promote clear provisions on the regulation of S&T ethics, investigation and handling of violations, and other governance work in the foundational legislation on S&T innovation, and implement S&T ethics requirements in other relevant legislation." Therefore, it is strongly recommended that DSI be taken into account in the current revision.
Specific suggestions: 1) Consider the problems and challenges posed by digital sequence information (DSI) of genetic resources in the revision of the “Administrative Measures for Breeding Livestock and Poultry Production and Operation Licenses (Draft for Comments)”; 2) In "Article 23 Breeding Livestock and Poultry Producers and Operators Shall Establish Production and Operation Files," make it clear that: if there is a case of using digital sequence information (DSI) of genetic resources, it is required to be recorded in the file.
Reference:
Notice of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on the Public Comments on the “Administrative Measures for Breeding Livestock and Poultry Production and Operation Licenses (Draft for Comment) ” (2023)
https://www.moa.gov.cn/govpublic/nybzzj1/202306/t20230630_6431219.htm
Regulations on the Management of Breeding Livestock and Poultry
https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2011/content_1860850.htm
National List of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Breeds
https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2020-06/01/5516427/files/39749a9a56cd446bb8e5ff5d57d5be13.pdf
Guidelines for Approval of Licenses for Production and Operation of Breeding Livestock and Poultry (2006)
https://www.gov.cn/govweb/fwxx/bw/nyb/content_373386.htm
Smyth, SJ, Macall, DM, Phillips, PWB, de Beer, J. Implications of biological information digitization: access and benefit sharing of plant genetic resources. J World Intellect Prop. 2020; 23: 267- 287. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwip.12151
Translator: Samantha
Editor: Samantha
Contact: V10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776
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