CRISPR Constructs Prevent Undesired Progeny Traits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current selective breeding techniques incur significant labor and ethical concerns by requiring the culling of organisms with undesired traits, such as male offspring in poultry and cattle, which is inefficient and inhumane, necessitating alternative methods to eliminate or modify these traits in progeny.
Innovation Solution
The use of CRISPR-mediated genetic constructs, including Cas9 and guide RNA, to prevent the development of undesired traits in progeny by introducing genetic differences between donor and receptor breeding stock, either by arresting development or modifying alleles associated with the undesired traits, ensuring progeny lack specific traits like sex characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional selective breeding techniques are used to eliminate undesired traits, then progeny can be produced without undesired traits, but significant labor and costs are incurred through culling of organisms with undesired traits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing genetic constructs into parent organisms before reproduction that will automatically prevent undesired traits from appearing in progeny. The genetic constructs are prepared and implanted in breeding stock prior to mating, so that when offspring are produced, the undesired traits are already prevented from developing, eliminating the need for post-birth culling and significantly improving breeding efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical culling system (physical elimination of unwanted offspring) with a genetic system. Instead of using manual or mechanical processes to identify and remove organisms with undesired traits after they are born, the invention uses molecular genetic constructs that prevent the undesired traits from arising in the first place, substituting a biological/genetic mechanism for a mechanical one
2Reliability
If culling processes are used to eliminate male offspring in poultry and cattle, then only desired progeny are produced, but significant labor and costs are incurred and ethical concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful practice of culling into a beneficial genetic selection process. Instead of harmfully eliminating unwanted male offspring after birth, the invention uses genetic constructs to prevent male offspring from developing in the first place, transforming a harmful post-birth elimination process into a beneficial pre-birth prevention process that eliminates ethical concerns and labor requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing genetic constructs into parent organisms before reproduction that will automatically prevent undesired traits from appearing in progeny. The genetic constructs are prepared and implanted in breeding stock prior to mating, so that when offspring are produced, the undesired traits are already prevented from developing, eliminating the need for post-birth culling and significantly improving breeding efficiency
3Productivity
If genetic modification is used to prevent undesired traits in progeny, then culling is eliminated and labor is reduced, but genetic constructs must be introduced into breeding stock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating and replicating genetic constructs that can be transferred between organisms. The genetic constructs are designed as replicable molecular units that can be copied and introduced into breeding stock through standardized processes, allowing the same genetic modification strategy to be applied across multiple generations without requiring complex de novo creation each time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses genetic constructs as intermediaries to achieve the desired trait separation. These constructs act as mediators that carry the information needed to prevent undesired traits, serving as the interface between the breeder's intent and the biological outcome, thereby simplifying the overall process by providing a clear molecular mechanism for trait control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the production of progeny lacking undesired traits without the need for culling, reducing labor and ethical concerns, while maintaining the viability of breeding stock, and can be applied to various organisms to achieve desired traits by controlling genetic combinations during reproduction.
Implementation Method 1
The use of CRISPR-mediated genetic constructs, including Cas9 and guide RNA, to prevent the development of undesired traits in progeny by introducing genetic differences between donor and receptor breeding stock
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for producing organisms that lack one or more undesired traits are disclosed. In some implementations, a method includes obtaining (or producing) a first parent organism of a donor family of breeding stock and obtaining (or producing) a second parent organism from a receptor family of breeding stock. Some implementations of the method include mating the first parent organism with the second parent organism to produce a progeny organism. In some cases, a combination of genetic material from the first parent organism and the second parent organism in the progeny organism prevents development of the undesired trait (or of an organism having the undesired trait). Other implementations are also described.