Animal Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 154-164 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 160 potential deterioration in pork quality and increased susceptibility to stress and disease (Miar et al., 2014; Willson et al., 2020). Therefore, it is crucial to balance genetic improvement with the overall welfare of the animals to ensure sustainable and ethical breeding practices. Another ethical issue is the potential impact on biodiversity. Intensive selection for specific traits can lead to a narrowing of the genetic base, reducing the overall genetic diversity within pig populations. This reduction in diversity can make populations more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes, posing a risk to long-term sustainability. Ethical breeding programs should aim to maintain genetic diversity while achieving desired improvements in carcass traits. This can be done by incorporating a wide range of genetic lines and avoiding excessive inbreeding (Miar et al., 2014b; Esfandyari et al., 2019; Esfandyari et al., 2020). Additionally, transparent communication with stakeholders about the goals and methods of genetic selection is essential to address ethical concerns and build public trust in genetic improvement programs. 6 Future Directions in Quantitative Genetics for Carcass Traits 6.1 Integrating omics technologies with quantitative genetics The integration of omics technologies with quantitative genetics holds significant promise for advancing our understanding and improvement of carcass traits in pigs. Omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, provide comprehensive insights into the biological mechanisms underlying phenotypic traits. These technologies enable the construction of regulatory networks that integrate different levels of biological information flow from gene to function, thereby offering a holistic view of the genetic architecture of complex traits (Keurentjes et al., 2008; Verardo et al., 2023). For instance, the AnimalQTLdb project has curated extensive genomic information on quantitative trait loci (QTL) identified in various livestock species, facilitating the translation of genome to phenome research (Verardo et al., 2023). Moreover, the application of omics technologies in livestock genetics has led to the development of important tools for improving animal production and sustainability. Projects like the Functional Annotation of Animal Genomes (FAANG) have generated datasets to decipher the function of genome segments in multiple species, including pigs (Verardo et al., 2023). These datasets, combined with advanced analytical and statistical techniques, allow for more accurate genetic predictions and better understanding of the genomic background of phenotypic variability. As a result, integrating omics technologies with quantitative genetics can significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of breeding programs aimed at improving carcass traits in pigs (Chakraborty et al., 2022). 6.2 Potential of CRISPR and other gene-editing tools The advent of CRISPR and other gene-editing tools has revolutionized the field of genetics, offering unprecedented opportunities for precise genetic manipulation. CRISPR technology, characterized by its low technological barrier and high efficiency, has been successfully employed in various applications, including the improvement of economically important traits in pigs (Tu et al., 2022; Wang and Doudna, 2023). For example, gene editing has been used to knockout the Myostatin gene to enhance lean meat production and to knock-in the UCP1 gene to improve piglet thermogenesis and survival under cold stress (Tu et al., 2022). These advancements demonstrate the potential of CRISPR to rapidly and precisely alter genes responsible for desirable carcass traits. Looking forward, the continued development and refinement of CRISPR technology will likely address current challenges such as improving editing accuracy and precision, and enhancing targeted delivery of CRISPR editors (Figure 2) (Wang and Doudna, 2023). Additionally, the integration of CRISPR with other emerging technologies like machine learning and live cell imaging could further expand its applications in both fundamental and applied research. As regulatory frameworks evolve to accommodate these new breeding technologies, the commercialization and global valorization of gene-edited pigs are expected to increase, potentially transforming the pig industry by enabling the production of healthier, more productive animals (Tu et al., 2022). 6.3 Enhancing accuracy and efficiency in genetic prediction Enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of genetic prediction is crucial for the success of breeding programs aimed at improving carcass traits in pigs. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of genomic selection to predict
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