Roundtable on Biotechnology Tools: Statement

John E. Dowling

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA 02138

dowling@fas.harvard.edu

The ability to manipulate the genome of virtually any organism is already a reality and such genetic approaches will have a profound affect on the aquaculture industry. Transgenic fish of a variety of species have already been produced, and some of these are most promising from a commercial point of view. Other genetic manipulations such as knocking-down specific gene activity or even knocking-out certain gene function are rapidly becoming available in fish species. With genome projects expanding to include aquatic organisms (presently zebrafish and pufferfish), it is only a matter of time before the genomes of a number of relevant aquatic species are sequenced. All of this means that within a relatively short time, we will be able to alter the activity of virtually any gene present in a genome or to introduce novel genes into a genome.

Clearly, vigorous efforts to enhance our understanding of the genetics and genomes of aquatic species should be encouraged and should be a major priority. At the same time, we need to consider carefully how to handle such genetically-altered animals. Present methods of raising fish in pens in natural bays or lakes clearly can’t be used because of the possibility of escape. How to raise such fish and protect the environment is a major challenge and must be high on the agenda of the aquaculture enterprise.