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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Transgenesis In Animal Agriculture: Addressing Animal Health And Welfare Concerns, Michael Greger
Transgenesis In Animal Agriculture: Addressing Animal Health And Welfare Concerns, Michael Greger
Michael Greger, MD, FACLM
The US Food and Drug Administration’s final Guidance for Industry on the regulation of transgenesis in animal agriculture has paved the way for the commercialization of genetically engineered (GE) farm animals. The production-related diseases associated with extant breeding technologies are reviewed, as well as the predictable welfare consequences of continued emphasis on prolificacy at the potential expense of physical fitness. Areas in which biotechnology could be used to improve the welfare of animals while maintaining profitability are explored along with regulatory schema to improve agency integration in GE animal oversight.
Transgenesis In Animal Agriculture And Zoonotic Disease Resistance, Michael Greger
Transgenesis In Animal Agriculture And Zoonotic Disease Resistance, Michael Greger
Michael Greger, M.D.
In 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released guidelines for the commercialization of genetically engineered (GE) farm animals. Numerous applications for approval of transgenic species are currently pending. Anthropocentric concerns raised to date have tended to neglect the impact of the physiological trade-off between production efficiency and immune function. Given animal agriculture's track record of prioritizing productivity - even at the expense of animal health - the incorporation of biotechnological tools to further stress production towards biological limits may continue to undermine immunocompetence. Regulatory schemata to avert adverse public health outcomes are discussed. Given the rising incidence of …
Trait Selection And Welfare Of Genetically Engineered Animals In Agriculture, Michael Greger
Trait Selection And Welfare Of Genetically Engineered Animals In Agriculture, Michael Greger
Michael Greger, MD, FACLM
The release of the Final Guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration on the commercialization of genetically engineered animals has sparked renewed discussion over the ethical, consumer, and regulatory implications of transgenesis in animal agriculture. Animal welfare critiques have focused on unexpected phenotypic effects in animals used in transgenic research, rather than on the health and welfare implications of the intended productivity enhancement. Unless breeding goals are redefined to reflect social concerns, the occurrence and magnitude of undesirable side effects may increase and consumer confidence in the nascent technology may be undermined.