Through reproductive biotechnology, scientists have found a better way to solve some of the world's most pressing problems on food security, health and biodiversity.

In a convention of scholars, policy-makers, and scientists from around the world held from Oct. 23 to 28 at Edsa Shangri-la Hotel, Mandaluyong City, experts helped brainstorm a better livestock industry.

The event, dubbed the "9th Asian Reproductive Biotechnology Society (ARBS) conference," was organized by the Department of Agriculture's Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) and Biotechnology Program (DA-Biotech).

Representatives from the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, India, China, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, Portugal, USA, and Australia came in to discuss advances in assisted reproductive technologies, genetics, and cloning techniques, among others.

Best of the best genes

DA-PCC Executive Director Dr. Libertado Cruz told GMA News Online that the main goal for studies about the advancement and applications of reproductive biotechnology in the livestock industry is to discover effective technologies which could produce the best genes for better-quality products, and more efficient production rates.

"'Pag natural (reproduction) lang, any animal can mate anybody, regardless of the quality. The objective of assisted reproductive technology is to produce the best of the best (genes)," said Cruz.

During the first day of the conference, Cruz presented his study, "Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Asian Livestock Industry."

"Intensification of production systems, imports of feed grains, and import of ruminant-derived products all contribute to environmental degradation," he wrote.

Cruz said that his study aims to provide insights on how to increase production efficiency while reducing environmental impact at the same time.

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Int'l biotech conference seeks to better PHL livestock