NFR/BIOTEK2021-Bioteknologi for verdiskaping
About the project
EcoGene will assess the opportunities and challenges of new gene editing tools in Norwegian bio-production, with particular emphasis on salmon production, but also in livestock, like pig. We will study genetic interaction effects in zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model species.
An important factor for the use of gene editing is the interaction effects between genes. Zebrafish provide the opportunity to measure changes over generations (ca 4 months) within the time frame of the research project. Further, we will uncover the monetary and non-monetary (i.e. social) consequences of new gene editing tools for salmon and pork production. Biotechnology / bio-production is a rapidly expanding and evolving field, and the implementation of new discoveries may lead to unexpected consequences. One aim of the combination of biological and social scientific perspectives in EcoGene is to assess risk / precautionary approach associated with the implementation of this technology. Scientific discoveries in the field of biotechnology is associated with innovation and supply a market demand for new processes.
Thus, the responsibility, awareness and conscious deliberation of stakeholders is pertinent. Biotechnological experiments will provide improved information on the uncertainty and complexity involved in the application of CRISPR. This uncertainty may e.g. be associated with the unintended changes in gene effects (additive or non-additive) or unexpected changes in other traits.
The biological and social science perspectives of this project are concerned with the use of gene editing in bio-production, and together these perspectives can bring about a result that raises the level of knowledge about the implementation of this new gene-editing tool. In this project, the zebrafish experiment will provide actual quantification of the potential risk involved with CRISPR. In an innovation process this information is imperative to assess the effects of CRISPR manipulation in two real cases.
Review