AU Professor Pens Fisheries Genetics Book

AUBURN, Ala. — An Auburn University fish geneticist whose research for almost a quarter of a century has focused on developing a better catfish for the fish farming industry has written the first book documenting the dramatic biotechnological advances that have transformed the world of aquaculture over the past 30 years.

Rex Dunham’s 400-page book, Aquaculture and Fisheries Biotechnology: Genetic Approaches, was published in February by Oxfordshire, UK–based CABI Publishing. While the subject is highly technical, Dunham has used a writing style that makes the book accessible to a broad audience, including advanced students, researchers, fisheries biologists and farmers.

Catfish genetics research was in its infancy in 1981 when Dunham earned his doctorate in fisheries from AU’s College of Agriculture and joined the faculty as assistant professor of catfish genetics and breeding. His research through the years has focused on improving farm-raised catfish through both selective breeding and genetic engineering.

The book goes beyond an overview of the different biotechnology tools used in pursuit of genetically improved fish to include chapters that discuss transgenic fish from the aspects of food safety, government regulations, environmental risks and especially the effects the environment can have on the fish.

“Sometimes scientists can get caught up in the technology and lose sight of how the environment can overshadow genetic effects,” Dunham said. “We must be aware of these environmental effects and how to control them to generate realistic genetic information and maximize its useful application.”

Aquaculture and Fisheries Biotechnology: Genetic Approaches marks CABI Publishing’s expansion from books on traditional agricultural subjects into fisheries and aquaculture. The book, which Dunham wrote over a three-year period, will be sold globally, with CABI projecting sales to be especially strong in Asia, where interest in aquaculture is particularly high.

Aquaculture and Fisheries Biotechnology: Genetic Approaches can be purchased online from Oxfordshire, UK–based CABI Publishing at www.cabi-publishing.com. The book sells for $140.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Rex Dunham, 334-844-9121 or rdunham@acesag.auburn.edu

04/30/04

For immediate release