The Chromosome Research Foundation Heritage Highlight
The Chromosome Research Foundation
Formally launched on July 29th, 1974, the Chromosome Research Foundation was established under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and the University of Sydney with the aim of promoting research into human and animal chromosomes.
The RAS was especially interested in ‘The counselling and extension of information and research regarding the chromosomes of cattle’. In the breeding of high quality cattle, a more scientific approach based on an analysis of an animal’s chromosomal make-up, would produce more predictable outcomes and thereby potentially save farmers from economic loss. The foundation's Director of Research, Dr Clive Halnan, explained to RAS members that the screening of bulls being used for AI could potentially prevent the passing on of undesirable traits.
A further decade down the track, Dr Halnan was able to state ‘In the cattle field, we have eliminated production defects that were so bad that the owners were on the point of selling out. Subsequently , they have, on our advice, managed to reach the standard of winning ribbons at the RAS’.
Yet despite making significant contributions in the field, by 1984 the Chromosome Research Foundation was scrambling to attract reliable financial support and its work unfortunately ceased in that year.