- Ali. Abdalwahab. M. Al-Kuhla
Lecturer, Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul, Iraq.
aliaug1976@uomosul.edu.iq https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8320-0558
The Role of Biotechnology in Animal Nutrition
This review supplies an overview of the key role played by modern biotechnology in the advancement of animal nutrition. With the global demand for animal products rising, new strategies are needed to enhance feed efficiency, animal health, and the sustainability of animal production. The review highlights how biotechnological interventions, including genetic modification (GM) and precision gene-editing technologies like CRISPR, address challenges posed by traditional feeding systems such as nutrient digestibility, anti-nutritional factors, and environmental sustainability. The paper addresses the application of genetic engineering in consolidate the nutritional amount of feed crops, utilization of improved enzymes, and the design of next-generation probiotics and prebiotics to re-model the gut microbiota. It also discusses new methods of manipulating the rumen microbiome for greater efficiency and methane synthesis reduction. The review concludes that these advances have the potential to get better nutrient employment, lower fodder expenses, minimize the environmental footprint of animal agriculture, and decrease reliance on antibiotic growth promoters. Moreover, the review shines a light on the complex social, economic, and ethical considerations that accompany these technologies, particularly with emerging gene-editing technologies that demand new regulatory frameworks and public debate. It outlines important areas of future research, including long-term ecological effects studies and further understanding of host-microbiome interactions. The abstract calls for continued research to advance these technologies, their efficacy and safety, and public acceptance to maximize their complete potential for sustainable animal production.