Genetic modification (GM) of farm animals started in the early 1980s. Most research on GM farm animals (cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and goats) has been carried out in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Some GM animals have been produced to aid food production but there are also other uses. For example, researchers have produced GM farm animals to:
- increase meat production through rapid growth or leaner animals
- improve the amount and quality of wool
- alter the composition of milk to make better cheese, to reduce intolerance to milk or to produce medicines and neutraceuticals
- increase disease resistance
- reduce pollution from pig manure
- produce strong, spider-silk fibres in goat milk for military use.
Animal welfare issues associated with GM animals
- Only 1–3% of experiments to genetically modify animals are successful.
- Cloning is often used with the genetic modification, which increases losses of embryos and offspring at around the time of birth. GM and cloned animals are often oversized, weak and susceptible to disease. In experiments, 50% of calves died before weaning, and mice had greater than normal illness in later life plus abnormalities in future generations.
- Belgian Blue beef cattle have double-muscling genes producing muscles that bodybuilders would envy. This may be good for beef production but not for reproduction. As calves are so big, births are painful and most are by (repeated) caesarian section.
- GM of gut microbes could make fodder more digestible for farm animals. However, the GM microbes could unbalance the gut, cause disease to the animals and contaminate food.
- Developing GM (transgenic) pigs to produce donor organs for humans causes public concern but this is mostly about the ethics of human use, rather than about the welfare of the pigs. Research in GM mice with a gene involved in organ rejection has shown vision impairment and increased susceptibility to blood infections.
The main benefits from GM animals are economic — more product at a lower production cost. Because some people in developing countries can now afford more food, it has been argued that GM is needed to increase production to meet demand for meat, cheese and milk.
The use of GM in farm animals has focused on high-value products, for example medicines in milk. In the future, it is hoped that GM will focus on improving the health and welfare of animals. There has been some success with GM disease resistance and it is now possible to produce cattle without the gene for mad cow disease, giving hope it can be eliminated. In relation to improved welfare, GM research has produced hornless cattle that don’t need to be subjected to painful disbudding or dehorning; cattle better able to withstand hot climates; and the ability to block pubertal development in pigs to avoid the need for castration.
GM may have potential benefits, however, animal welfare should not be compromised in achieving them.
https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-are-the-animal-welfare-issues-with-genetic-modification-of-farm-animals/
FAQs
Animal welfare issues associated with GM animals
What are the animal welfare issues with genetic modification of farm animals? ›
Research and development of genetically modified animals often entails painful and invasive procedures. Unpredictable and unintended complications frequently arise from the genetic manipulation of animals, resulting in unanticipated disease syndromes, physical impairments, and other pathologies.
What are the ethical issues with genetically modified animals? ›
Genetic engineering and selective breeding appear to violate animal rights, because they involve manipulating animals for human ends as if the animals were nothing more than human property, rather than treating the animals as being of value in themselves.
What are the animal welfare issues with cloning of farm animals? ›
Animals involved in the cloning process suffer
Many clones die during pregnancy or birth. Of those that survive, a significant proportion die in the early days and weeks of life from problems such as heart, liver and kidney failure.
What are the problems with genetic engineering in animals? ›
Many of the embryos that undergo genetic engineering procedures do not survive. Genetic modification can put animals at risk of harm. For example, transgenic pigs were found to be arthritic, partially blind and infertile when a human growth hormone was inserted into their genomes to make them grow faster.
How does genetic modification affect animals? ›
With genetic modification comes a risk of unpredicted, potentially harmful changes to the animal. For example, early editing of pig genomes led to increased hormone production and faster growth, but caused the animals to be arthritic, partially blind and infertile.
What is the issue with animal welfare? ›
Issues concerning the welfare of animals include habitat, nutrition, comfort, and the humane treatment of animals. The general well-being of animals is another way of saying animal welfare. Animal welfare activists advocate for the welfare of non-human animals.
Why is genetic modification not ethical? ›
For instance, there is a chance that genetic alterations could have unintended consequences or that parents may not be able to control which traits their child inherits. Some people believe that designer babies are morally wrong because they involve manipulating the genes of a human embryo.
What are 3 ethical issues when using GMOs? ›
Various ethical issues related to manipulation of living organisms include concerns about animal welfare, environmental impact, potential for consequences, equitable distribution of benefits, and respect for biodiversity and ecosystems.
What are some negative effects of genetically modified animal and plant? ›
Environmental concerns include :
- the risk of outcrossing, where genes from GMO foods pass into wild plants and other crops.
- a negative impact on insects and other species.
- reduction in other plant types, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
Critics of pet cloning typically offer three objections: (1) the cloning process causes animals to suffer; (2) widely available pet cloning could have bad consequences for the overwhelming numbers of unwanted companion animals; and, (3) companies that offer pet cloning are deceiving and exploiting grieving pet owners.
What are the unethical treatment of farm animals? ›
Animals bear the burden of the cost-saving measures on factory farms. For the entirety of their brief lives, they're unable to engage in their natural behaviors; they're maimed and operated on without anesthetic; and/or they're forcibly impregnated over and over, only to have their offspring torn away from them.
What are the cons of genetic cloning animals? ›
Animal cloning can lead to the reduction of genetic diversity, which compromises the adaptability of species to survive changes in the environment. Animal cloning is also expensive and inefficient in comparison to sexual reproduction.
Why are genetically modified animals bad for the environment? ›
Genetic modification produces genetically modified animals, plants and organisms. If they are introduced into the environment they can affect biodiversity. For example, existing species can be overrun by more dominant new species. These and other potential effects are considered during the licensing procedure.
What are 3 problems of genetic engineering? ›
Many scientists, for example, point to the lack of empirical testing, unknown safety risks, and the dangers of allergies, cancer, etc. Still others within the natural and organic products industry are simply philosophically opposed to GMOs.
What is the problem with genetically modified crops and animals? ›
Genetic modification produces genetically modified animals, plants and organisms. If they are introduced into the environment they can affect biodiversity. For example, existing species can be overrun by more dominant new species.
What are the disadvantages of genetic modification agriculture? ›
Cons
- the risk of outcrossing, where genes from GMO foods pass into wild plants and other crops.
- a negative impact on insects and other species.
- reduction in other plant types, leading to a loss of biodiversity.
The widespread adoption of GM crops prompts additional questions about potential risks, such as direct health effects, allergic reactions, transgene stability, and unintended impacts on non-targeted organisms.
What are the key issues of animal welfare? ›
The five key welfare needs are:
- Environment — the need for a suitable environment and place to live.
- Diet — the need for a suitable diet.
- Behaviour — the need to express normal behaviour.
- Companionship — the need to consider your pet's social needs.
- The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
