Many genetically engineered farm animals are under development, funded by private companies or governments and enabled by new genome editing technologies such as CRISPR.
A new report from Friends of the Earth USA, co-written by ENSSER member Janet Cotter of Logos Environmental sheds light on the unintended consequences of genome editing in animals, which may impact animal health and welfare, interact with complex environmental factors and affect food safety. The report considers that many of the gene editing traits under development, such as hornless cows and disease resistance, will facilitate poor animal management, such as crowding. This looks set to magnify current ethical, health and welfare concerns for intensively reared farm animals.
Cotter, J. & Perls, D. (2019) Genetically engineered animals: from lab to factory farm. Friends of the Earth U.S. https://1bps6437gg8c169i0y1drtgz-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/FOE_GManimalsReport_Final-Print-1.pdf
Press Release: Gene-edited animals will intensify factory farming and the climate crisis, could harm human health. https://foe.org/news/gene-edited-animals-will-intensify-factory-farming-climate-crisis-harm-human-health/