Tough steak blamed on cows with human genes
May 03, 2009 02:20pm
TOUGH steak can be blamed on mad cows with human genes, say Australian scientists.
Scientists will investigate ways to switch off a human gene that is thought to cause temperamental behaviour in both cows and humans in a new $1.35 million primary industries research project.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin, who announced the project ahead of the Australia's National Beef Expo 2009 in Rockhampton, says the new ground-breaking discovery could change the quality of beef.
"The genes thought to cause behavioural problems in humans are also found in cattle,'' Mr Mulherin said.
"We already know there is an association between the temperament of cattle and the tenderness of the meat, the more temperamental, the less tender.
"So if our scientists can learn how to switch off the gene that causes irritability in cattle then we can produce more tender meat which has a higher value to industry.''
Other factors to boost beef profits include annual calving and cows calving earlier in the season, which could lead to heavier offspring, he said.
Research leader, scientist Brian Burns, said the project focused on a new field of epigenetics, the study of modifications to genes other than changes in the DNA sequence itself.
"Our aim is to breed cattle with the most desirable genetic characteristics for domestic and international markets,'' Dr Burns said.
"That will mean cattle with improved reproduction, growth, carcass, adaptation and behavioural traits and better end-product quality.''
Australia's National Beef Exposition 2009 kicks-off in Rockhampton on May 4.
May 03, 2009 02:20pm
TOUGH steak can be blamed on mad cows with human genes, say Australian scientists.
Scientists will investigate ways to switch off a human gene that is thought to cause temperamental behaviour in both cows and humans in a new $1.35 million primary industries research project.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin, who announced the project ahead of the Australia's National Beef Expo 2009 in Rockhampton, says the new ground-breaking discovery could change the quality of beef.
"The genes thought to cause behavioural problems in humans are also found in cattle,'' Mr Mulherin said.
"We already know there is an association between the temperament of cattle and the tenderness of the meat, the more temperamental, the less tender.
"So if our scientists can learn how to switch off the gene that causes irritability in cattle then we can produce more tender meat which has a higher value to industry.''
Other factors to boost beef profits include annual calving and cows calving earlier in the season, which could lead to heavier offspring, he said.
Research leader, scientist Brian Burns, said the project focused on a new field of epigenetics, the study of modifications to genes other than changes in the DNA sequence itself.
"Our aim is to breed cattle with the most desirable genetic characteristics for domestic and international markets,'' Dr Burns said.
"That will mean cattle with improved reproduction, growth, carcass, adaptation and behavioural traits and better end-product quality.''
Australia's National Beef Exposition 2009 kicks-off in Rockhampton on May 4.
