Animals > Biotechnology  

Animal Biotechnology Unit

The Animal Biotechnology Unit (ABU) of the Animal Health and Production Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for establishing animal health standards and augmenting regulatory controls for the development of biotechnology-derived animals. The current mandate of the Animal Biotechnology Unit is to evaluate the assisted reproductive technologies used in livestock production (for example animal cloning, transgenic animal production or other genetic manipulations) with a focus on animal health and welfare.

In addition to fulfilling the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s core responsibilities in the area of animal health, the Animal Biotechnology Unit collaborates with other government departments and agencies to develop and implement appropriate risk-based regulatory controls for the assessment and control of biotechnology-derived animals. The Animal Biotechnology Unit provides scientific advice and support to other departments, responds to media enquiries, conducts consultation meetings and prepares guidelines on animal biotechnology matters.

What is biotechnology ...

Several statutes within the Government of Canada define Biotechnology as "The application of science and engineering in the direct or indirect use of living organisms or parts or products of living organisms in their natural or modified forms." This broad definition encompasses organisms developed through traditional breeding methods and newer technologies such as genetic engineering.

The term ‘biotechnology - derived animal’ is an extension of the definition of biotechnology. This term may include, but is not limited to, the following categories of animals

1. Genetically engineered or modified animals in which genetic material has been added, deleted, silenced or altered to influence expression of genes and traits.
2. Clones of animals derived by nuclear transfer from embryonic and somatic cells.
3. Chimeric animals that have received transplanted cells from another animal.
4. Interspecies hybrids produced by any method.
5. Animals derived by in-vitro cultivation such as maturation or manipulation of embryos.

• Biotechnology at the CFIA
• General Information and Regulations Specific to Biotechnology