Reproductive Confinement of Channel Catfish with Transgenic Sterilization

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Transgenic, domestic, interspecific hybrid and exotic fish all have great potential for benefiting both aquaculture and recreational fishing. Many of these fish, especially transgenics, are not used because of ecological concerns. The ultimate solution to these biodiversity, genetic biodiversity and environmental risk issues for application of these fish is transgenic sterilization. Genetically engineered sterility offers great potential for 100% effective, permanent, commercial scale sterilization. We anticipate being able to produce transgenic catfish that when mated all their progeny die unless reversing compounds are applied in the hatchery to restore viability. We also anticipate production of transgenic catfish that are reproductively sterile and their progeny sterile unless exogenous reproductive hormones are applied. This will allow environmentally safe commercialization of transgenic cat fish. Success would have implication for many additional species and applications. Economic impact of a successful outcome would be millions of dollars let alone large environmental and social impacts, and will influence government policy concerning transgenic fish.