Genome editing on non-farmed animals, such as pets, could cause pain, suffering, distress, and lasting harm, warns the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in the UK. The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act allows the creation and marketing of genome-edited vertebrate animals and plants, which will not be classified as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and will not require labelling. The RSPCA called for public consultation before proceeding and criticised the inclusion of all vertebrate animals in the legislation, warning of a “Pandora’s box” of possibilities. The government has pledged to safeguard animal welfare, but the RSPCA stressed the risks of gene editing, which can cause unintended changes to the genome with unpredictable effects. While gene editing offers potential for increasing innovation in agriculture and animal husbandry, it is crucial to consider the ethical implications of gene editing on animals.
RSPCA Warns of Gene Editing on Pets under New English Law
The UK government’s Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act could lead to gene editing of pets, the RSPCA has cautioned. The act, which allows the creation and marketing of genome-edited vertebrate animals and plants, applies to all vertebrate animals in England. The law, which aims to help farmers grow crops that are disease- and drought-resistant, and breed animals protected from harmful diseases, was described as a “Brexit freedom” by the UK environment secretary, Thérèse Coffey. However, the RSPCA has expressed its concerns about animal welfare and the potential consequences of gene editing on pets.
David Bowles, the head of campaigns and public affairs at the RSPCA, called the act an “ill-judged policy” and criticized the government for ignoring the charity’s request for an exemption for pets. Bowles expressed his concern about the risks of gene editing, stating that invasive procedures are necessary to create each line of gene-edited mammals. He added that there is no history of gene editing in pets and that this powerful technology can cause unintended changes to the genome with unpredictable effects.
The RSPCA has stated that exaggerated features on pets, although popular, can cause pain and suffering. The charity’s warning comes amid fears that gene editing could lead to the creation of cats and dogs with extreme features. The act has also sparked concerns about the potential ethical implications of gene editing on animals.
In conclusion, while the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act has been hailed as a positive development for agriculture and animal husbandry, the RSPCA’s warning about gene editing on pets highlights the need for caution and ethical considerations. It remains to be seen how the act will impact animal welfare in the long term.
RSPCA Warns of Animal Suffering from Genome Editing under New English Law
Genome editing enables changes to an organism’s DNA, but the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has cautioned that genome editing on animals involves procedures that could cause pain, suffering, distress, and lasting harm. The new Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act in England allows the creation and marketing of genome-edited vertebrate animals and plants, but gene-edited animals and food will not be classified as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and will not require labelling. While the government has assured that the regulatory framework will safeguard animal welfare, the RSPCA has expressed its deep concerns about the impact on non-farmed animals such as pets.
The RSPCA warned that the demand for cats and dogs with extreme appearances could encourage breeders to use gene editing to create pets with such features, which can cause pain and suffering. The charity criticised the inclusion of all vertebrate animals, including non-farmed creatures such as pets, in the legislation. The head of campaigns and public affairs at the RSPCA, David Bowles, called for the government to consult the public about gene editing on non-farm animals before proceeding.
The government has said it will take a “step-by-step” approach in introducing the regulatory framework, beginning with plants and followed by animals later. However, the RSPCA believes that no vertebrate animals should be included in the legislation, warning of a “Pandora’s box” of possibilities.
The new legislation has sparked concerns about the ethical implications of gene editing on animals. The RSPCA has stressed the risks of gene editing, which can cause unintended changes to the genome, with unpredictable effects. While gene editing offers potential for increasing innovation in agriculture and animal husbandry, it is crucial to safeguard animal welfare and take a cautious and ethical approach.
In conclusion, the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act in England, which permits genome editing on animals and plants, has raised concerns about the risks of gene editing on animal welfare, particularly non-farmed animals such as pets. The RSPCA has called for public consultation before proceeding and criticised the inclusion of all vertebrate animals in the legislation, warning of a “Pandora’s box” of possibilities. While the government has pledged to safeguard animal welfare, it is crucial to take a step-by-step approach and consider the ethical implications of gene editing on animals.
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