Biotechnology for porcine products and its effect on meat products

Recombinant DNA technology has provided a mechanism for large scale production of somatotropin (growth hormone). There is no question that exogenous administration of somatotropin (ST) to pigs significantly improves efficiency of growth and carcass composition. Microinjecting foreign DNA into the pronucleus of fertilized ova is the predominant method employed to produce transgenic animals. The goal of producing transgenic pigs is to improve productive traits and carcass composition, enhance animal health and produce useful human health products. With greater emphasis on lean tissue accretion and less lipid deposition, either exogenous administration of ST or transgene technology can be used as a tool to maximize genetic potential for protein accretion and/or lipid depletion. The magnitudes of response for protein accretion and lipid depletion differ between these two biotechnological strategies. However, both offer means for progress in meeting consumer demands for lean meat.