Abstract: Deriving horse oocytes in the USA is hampered by the lack of abattoirs processing horse carcasses which could provide abundant quantities of ovaries from slaughtered mares. Therefore, several cloning industries in the USA are attempting to import cloned horse embryos from Canada. Like any agricultural commodity, cloned embryos pose a risk of introduction of exotic animal diseases into the importing country. Under such circumstances, risk assessment could provide an objective, transparent, and internationally accepted means for evaluating the risk. This quantitative risk assessment (QRA) was initiated to determine the risk of introduction of Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) into the USA via cloned horse embryos imported from Canada. In assessing the risk, a structured knowledge base regarding cloning in relation to Equine infectious anemia (EIA) was first developed. Based on the knowledge base, a scenario tree was developed to determine conditions (with mathematical probabilities) that could lead to the introduction and maintenance of EIAV along the cloning pathway. Parameters for the occurrence of the event at each node were estimated using published literature. Using @Risk software and setting Monte Carlo simulation at 50,000 iterations, the probability of importing an EIAV-infected cloned horse embryo was 1.8 × 10(-9) (R = 1.5 × 10(-12) to 2.9 × 10(-8)). Taking into account the current protocol for equine cloning and assuming the yield of 5 to 30 clones per year, the possible number of EIAV-infected cloned horse embryos ranged from 2.0 × 10(-10) to 9.1 × 10(-5) (Mean = 1.4×10(-6)) per year. Consequently, it would take up to 1.5 × 10(7) (R = 1.6 × 10(4) to 5.1 × 10(10)) years for EIAV to be introduced into the USA. Based on the knowledge base and our critical pathway analysis, the biological plausibility of introducing EIAV into USA via cloned horse embryos imported from Canada is extremely low.
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The research article discusses the very low likelihood of introducing the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) into the USA via cloned horse embryos imported from Canada.
Objective and Methodology of the Research
The goal of the study was to quantify the potential risk of introducing EIAV into the U.S. via the import of cloned horse embryos from Canada.
The researchers carried out a quantitative risk assessment, which is a scientifically established way to evaluate the risk of certain events or conditions.
They first created a foundation of knowledge about cloning and EIA, and they formulated a scenario tree that outlined conditions that could lead to EIAV introduction and maintenance during the cloning process.
The probability of each event in the scenario tree was calculated using data from published literature.
Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the probability of importing an EIAV-infected cloned horse embryo. The simulation was run 50,000 times to ensure accuracy in the prediction.
Findings of the Research
The study found that the probability of importing an EIAV-infected cloned horse embryo is extremely low, nearly 1.8 × 10(-9).
Considering the current cloning protocols and assuming a yield of 5 to 30 clones per year, the potential number of EIAV-infected cloned horse embryos ranged from 2.0 × 10(-10) to 9.1 × 10(-5) per year. This indicates an extremely low chance per year of an infected embryo.
Based on the analysis, it could take up to 1.5 × 10(7) years for EIAV to be introduced into the US via cloned horse embryos imported from Canada.
Conclusion of the Research
The final conclusion of the research found that based on the developed knowledge base and critical pathway analysis, the biological possibility of introducing EIAV into the USA via cloned horse embryos imported from Canada is extremely low.
The research provides decision-makers with scientific evidence to make informed decisions regarding the import of cloned horse embryos.
Cite This Article
APA
Asseged BD, Habtemariam T, Tameru B, Nganwa D.
(2011).
The risk of introduction of equine infectious anemia virus into USA via cloned horse embryos imported from Canada.
Theriogenology, 77(2), 445-458.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.08.019
Tuskegee University, Department of Pathobiology, BIMS/CCEBRA, CVMNAH W-B 114, Tuskegee, Alabama, USA. abogale@mytu.tuskegee.edu
Habtemariam, T
Tameru, B
Nganwa, D
MeSH Terms
Animals
Canada
Cloning, Organism / methods
Commerce
Embryo, Mammalian / virology
Equine Infectious Anemia / prevention & control
Equine Infectious Anemia / transmission
Female
Horses / embryology
Infectious Anemia Virus, Equine
Monte Carlo Method
Nuclear Transfer Techniques / veterinary
Oocyte Donation / veterinary
Oocytes / virology
Risk Assessment
United States
Grant Funding
G12 RR003059-23 / NCRR NIH HHS
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