"At Auburn University, genetic engineering techniques were utilized to integrate the alligator cathelicidin gene into catfish, resulting in enhanced health and increased resistance to diseases.
Microcides, found in the gut, are antimicrobial peptides that aid organisms in battling diseases. The gene was incorporated using the genome-editing technique CRISPR, significantly boosting the catfish’s disease resistance compared to wild catfish. The researchers even pointed out that the modified catfish exhibited “two to five times higher” survival rates.
The fish mentioned above has been genetically modified.
However, because researchers added cathelicidin to the reproductive hormone gene, it also reduced the catfish’s fertility. This is deemed crucial to prevent genetic contamination of wild catfish hybrids.
Although there is still some uncertainty regarding the use of CRISPR technology (primarily used and studied in mammals) in fish, researchers hope that alligator gene editing and catfish can be used in conjunction with other breeding techniques to help farmers achieve higher yields in livestock production.
In 2021, the United States is projected to produce an estimated 140,000 tons of live catfish. Catfish also account for over 50 percent of the national demand for farmed fish.
However, the process of caring for this creature is resource-intensive. Due to the lack of space in the farms where catfish are raised, diseases often spread among catfish. Approximately 45% of fish species die from infectious diseases. Fish in general are also becoming more resistant to antibiotics.
While consumers may be apprehensive about the idea of their catfish sharing genetic resources with American alligators, the researchers assured that the meat from the hybrid fish is completely safe.
“I’ll eat it right away,” promises one of the researchers."
