Environmental DNA (eDNA) | Assignment

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Title:

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Question 1
Environment
The continued decline of the world biodiversity signifies a key catastrophe and challenge in the
current period, and political agreements have been reached internationally to slow or stop this
decline. Science has impacted some of the key areas of the society:
 Deficiency of information about biodiversity distribution largely hinders this challenge,
especially because most World species are not scientifically defined. Every effort related
to conservation to preserve biodiversity basically rely on the population and species
monitoring and gathering consistent patterns of distribution and estimates of population
(Thomsen & Willerslev, 2015).
 Traditionally, this type of monitoring has depended on identification of physical
characteristics through visual inspection and calculating species. But, traditional
strategies of monitoring still have problems because of difficulties related to the right
identification of recessive species or early stages of life, the continued reduction of
taxonomic expertise, unstandardized sampling, and the intrusion of certain investigative
technicalities. Therefore, there is a pressing necessity for substitute and effective
technologies to monitor biodiversity in larger scale (Thomsen & Willerslev, 2015).
 Environmental DNA (eDNA) is characterized in this paper as genetic material acquired
from environmental samples directly (water, soil, etc.) minus any apparent biological
signs of the source is a highly effectual, non-invasive and easily standardized sample
method. Combined with sensitive, economical and evolving technology of DNA
sequencing, it might be a suitable candidate for responding to biodiversity monitoring

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challenges. Study on eDNA began with microbiology, identifying that culture-based
strategies severely distort natural microbial diversity. Consequently, as a process of
assessing diversity, the macrobiological community first analyzed the eDNA in the
sediment, revealing that the extinct DNA, DNA, and existing plants as well as animals,
but meanwhile then samples have been acquired from innumerable aquatic and
terrestrial environments (Thomsen & Willerslev, 2015).
 The outcomes of the eDNA method provide prized insights into ancient times, and the
environment has proven to be useful for monitoring terrestrial and aquatic contemporary
biodiversity in ecosystems. Scientists expect that eDNA-based methods will shift from
the single-marker group or species analysis to meta-genome reviews of whole
ecosystems for predicting spatial and temporal patterns of biodiversity. These
advancements have been applied to a series of environmental, biological as well as
geological sciences (Thomsen & Willerslev, 2015).
Advancement
 In recent years, science has made great progress. In the future, genomic tools may be
used to produce cattle for consumption. Dr. John Basarab, a senior research scientist at
the Alberta Department of Agriculture and Forestry and an adjunct professor at the
University of Alberta and his Sustainable Beef Project team are looking for ways to
produce genetic gEPD and multi-trait index cattle that perform well in crosses (Stothard
et al., 2015).
 This requires calibration of the EPD in order to work on more genetically-crossed dairy
cows to obtain data from more cattle (including less common breeds), thereby creating a

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value sufficient for Canada’s diverse herd Reference database. The Irish have one of the
best beef genetics databases in the world due to their national beef improvement
strategy. About 80% of beef producers signed their calves and agreed to transfer data
from the national identification and mobile system every night, including birth,
movement, slaughter and export, and then transfer it to a comprehensive cattle breeding
database, with a view to improving the heredity of cattle (Stothard et al., 2015).
 Today, scientists are looking for ways that commercial beef producers can use DNA to
assess bull performance. Six pastures in Saskatchewan, including the WBDC herd, are
collaborating by collecting genetic samples from as many bulls and calves as possible.
The purpose is to find the most multi-pound weaned calf calves to best pay off the debt.
Surprisingly, the performance of bulls that passed the assessment of reproductive
robustness varied greatly (Stothard et al., 2015).
 Current research is focused on tools such as genomic breed composition, genomic
hybrid vigor, gEPD and multi-eigenvalue index exhibited in hybrid cattle. These
characteristics allow producers to maintain and improve such factors as fertility, feed
efficiency, adaptability Features such as adaptability to climate change. Lifetime
productivity today will increase profits for its operations. From a larger perspective,
scientists believe that Canada needs a national beef improvement strategy similar to our
dairy industry and Ireland’s beef industry (Stothard et al., 2015).
Question 2 (Marketing)
 Marketing of products in the name of science is often deceiving. In a recent study,
researchers first categorized claims in glossy advertisements as 'environmental claims'