From the Contents: Gene-based Technologies for Livestock Industries in the 3rd Millennium -- Challenges and Opportunities for Controlling and Preventing Animal Diseases in Developing Countries through Gene-based Technologies -- Molecular Genetics and Livestock Selection -- First Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources -- Development of Germline Manipulation Technologies in Livestock -- DNA Polymorphisms in the Sahiwal Breed of Zebu Cattle Revealed by Synthetic Oligonucleotide Probes -- Genetic Diversity and Relationships of Vietnamese and European Pig Breeds -- Combining Gene-Based Methods and Reproductive Technologies to Enhance Genetic Improvement of Livestock in Developing Countries -- Evaluation of the Utility of the Fecb Gene to Improve the Productivity of Deccani Sheep in Maharashtra -- India; Effect of Pregnancy on Endometrial Sex Steroid Receptors and on Prostaglandin F2 Release after Uterine Biopsy in Heifers -- Inventory Analysis of West African Cattle Breeds -- Index. Modern Biotechnology has potential for solving many problems associated with animal productivity and health and offers exciting opportunities for enhancing agricultural productivity. At present the focus is, however, on the issues and problems of significance for livestock producers in the developed world. In order to fully realize the benefits of this technology in developing countries, there is a need to identify, characterize and apply appropriate gene-based technologies for these regions. These proceedings present peer reviewed state-of-the-art papers describing the achievements in the areas of animal breeding and genetics, animal nutrition, animal health, and environment, ethics, safety, and regulatory aspects of gene-based technologies; achievements which could be realized using these modern scientific tools to maximise the benefits from the 'livestock revolution' that is taking place; and the constraints in the use of gene-based technologies and their specific research needs. This book will help in bridging the wide gap between developed and developing countries, in the development and use of gene-based technologies, and to elucidate the current and future roles of such technologies in the developing world. It is a good reference source for researchers, students and policy-makers alike.