new Israeli genetic tracking system keeps tabs on animal produce and helps prevent the onset of food crises around the world.
new Israeli genetic tracking system keeps tabs on animal produce and helps prevent the onset of food crises around the world.
AutenticA DNA kit helps trace cattle from ranch to plate.
Wondering where that steak came from, and whether it has a clean bill of health? Soon, you may be able to find out before you take it to the checkout counter. The Israeli company Bactochem offers a genetic bar-coding system that keeps tabs on every head of cattle from farm to fork.
The AutenticA molecular kit already used by many Israeli herders will hit the US market next year, and perhaps the European market in the future. Using the kit, cattle breeders take a DNA sample from each animal as it is being routinely tagged. The completed kits are sent to the nearest lab for DNA profiling. Based on that genetic analysis, every animal receives a unique 50-letter barcode, which goes into a public database anyone can access for information about the meat on their plate. Because the system is based on the animal's DNA, it is not prone to error or fraud.
"The system can work as a preventive tool for food crises all over the world," says Guy Evron, AutenticA product manager. "Throughout the distribution and marketing chain of the meat, we sample different cuts of the carcass, genetically analyze them and match the barcode to the animal."
This makes it possible find out everything about a particular cut of beef, down to details including on which farm the animal was born, what it was fed, whether it was raised according to animal welfare standards, where and when it was slaughtered - and even whether it's hormone-free or kosher. "If a cattle disease breaks out, like hoof-and-mouth or mad cow, any sample of beef provided can be traced back to the farm where it was grown. This provides a great tool for disease contamination since the results come fast and they are completely accurate.
"Furthermore, we can show the end consumer that he is about to buy or consume a piece of meat that is free of that disease," says Evron. "You'll see the genetic barcode on the package, scan it with your phone's camera, and automatically get logged into our system so you can find out immediately if this is really the fresh meat you want to buy."
AutenticA costs $5 to $10 for a single genetic analysis, which is significantly less than similar systems, in part because the samples don't have to be sent to a special lab and do not need specially trained personnel to do the genetic analysis. In Israel, a proposed law is pending in the Knesset that would require every animal to be DNA tagged. This would put Israel at the forefront in establishing a system for keeping contaminated meat out of the marketplace.
But even without legal requirements, about 20 percent of the Israeli herd is already entered in the AutenticA database. "The aim is to make it more widespread, of course, so that anybody can find out anything about any piece of meat," says Evron. "It's a working technology that needs to be implemented into the marketing chain."
Finding stolen cattle, errant dog owners
The first application of the system, which was developed by Bactochem in collaboration with the Israeli government's Volcani Agricultural Research Organization, is aiding police in tracking down the owners of stolen cattle before or after slaughter. Cattle rustling is a widespread and expensive problem in Israel.
"When police find stolen animals or suspicious meat, they send us DNA samples and we can find out where it comes from," says Evron. "They can do this with a live animal, or with blood, hair or tissue from a butchered animal." The system can also help trace missing dogs and horses.
Bactochem, a Nes Tziona-based laboratory service provider, was established in 1977. AutenticA is a daughter company founded five years ago as a project of the Israeli Chief Scientist's Office.
AutenticA's "Clean Cities" project offers the kit to municipalities as a tool against dog owners who do not pick up after their pooches. When the dog is brought in for its annual rabies shot, the veterinarian also gets an oral swab sample that gets sent to AutenticA for genetic analysis. Once each animal's unique DNA identification is entered into the database, it becomes easy to identify the source of sidewalk droppings and take action against the owner.
"We've tested it in Petach Tikva and are now aiming at the Israeli and international markets," says Evron. "We've been getting inquiries from cities in Germany about this."
From: http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/InnovativeIsrael/DNA_technology-Sept_2011.htm
AutenticA DNA kit helps trace cattle from ranch to plate.
Wondering where that steak came from, and whether it has a clean bill of health? Soon, you may be able to find out before you take it to the checkout counter. The Israeli company Bactochem offers a genetic bar-coding system that keeps tabs on every head of cattle from farm to fork.
The AutenticA molecular kit already used by many Israeli herders will hit the US market next year, and perhaps the European market in the future. Using the kit, cattle breeders take a DNA sample from each animal as it is being routinely tagged. The completed kits are sent to the nearest lab for DNA profiling. Based on that genetic analysis, every animal receives a unique 50-letter barcode, which goes into a public database anyone can access for information about the meat on their plate. Because the system is based on the animal's DNA, it is not prone to error or fraud.
"The system can work as a preventive tool for food crises all over the world," says Guy Evron, AutenticA product manager. "Throughout the distribution and marketing chain of the meat, we sample different cuts of the carcass, genetically analyze them and match the barcode to the animal."
This makes it possible find out everything about a particular cut of beef, down to details including on which farm the animal was born, what it was fed, whether it was raised according to animal welfare standards, where and when it was slaughtered - and even whether it's hormone-free or kosher. "If a cattle disease breaks out, like hoof-and-mouth or mad cow, any sample of beef provided can be traced back to the farm where it was grown. This provides a great tool for disease contamination since the results come fast and they are completely accurate.
"Furthermore, we can show the end consumer that he is about to buy or consume a piece of meat that is free of that disease," says Evron. "You'll see the genetic barcode on the package, scan it with your phone's camera, and automatically get logged into our system so you can find out immediately if this is really the fresh meat you want to buy."
AutenticA costs $5 to $10 for a single genetic analysis, which is significantly less than similar systems, in part because the samples don't have to be sent to a special lab and do not need specially trained personnel to do the genetic analysis. In Israel, a proposed law is pending in the Knesset that would require every animal to be DNA tagged. This would put Israel at the forefront in establishing a system for keeping contaminated meat out of the marketplace.
But even without legal requirements, about 20 percent of the Israeli herd is already entered in the AutenticA database. "The aim is to make it more widespread, of course, so that anybody can find out anything about any piece of meat," says Evron. "It's a working technology that needs to be implemented into the marketing chain."
Finding stolen cattle, errant dog owners
The first application of the system, which was developed by Bactochem in collaboration with the Israeli government's Volcani Agricultural Research Organization, is aiding police in tracking down the owners of stolen cattle before or after slaughter. Cattle rustling is a widespread and expensive problem in Israel.
"When police find stolen animals or suspicious meat, they send us DNA samples and we can find out where it comes from," says Evron. "They can do this with a live animal, or with blood, hair or tissue from a butchered animal." The system can also help trace missing dogs and horses.
Bactochem, a Nes Tziona-based laboratory service provider, was established in 1977. AutenticA is a daughter company founded five years ago as a project of the Israeli Chief Scientist's Office.
AutenticA's "Clean Cities" project offers the kit to municipalities as a tool against dog owners who do not pick up after their pooches. When the dog is brought in for its annual rabies shot, the veterinarian also gets an oral swab sample that gets sent to AutenticA for genetic analysis. Once each animal's unique DNA identification is entered into the database, it becomes easy to identify the source of sidewalk droppings and take action against the owner.
"We've tested it in Petach Tikva and are now aiming at the Israeli and international markets," says Evron. "We've been getting inquiries from cities in Germany about this."
From: http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/InnovativeIsrael/DNA_technology-Sept_2011.htm
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