Manipulating the mitochondrial genome to generate more economically viable livestock

The world’s population and food consumption is increasing at unmanageable rates. However, agricultural productivity and farm income have decreased due to climate change, lack of water and soil degradation. The combination of the knowledge of mitochondrial DNA and assisted reproductive technologies has the potential to enhance embryo production efficiency, introduce new breeds of livestock and improve breeding programs to counter increased demands for livestock products and increasing temperatures, which affect an animal’s performance at the same time as providing better quality food to promote good health.