Genetic Engineering in Livestock: New Applications and Interdisciplinary Perspectives

by Margret Engelhard (Editor), Kristin Hagen (Editor), Matthias Boysen (Editor)

Overview

Recently, the first "zoopharming" product has reached market approval: it is a recombinant human protein for medical use that is produced in the milk of transgenic goats. In addition, other transgenic animals, including faster-growing salmon and „environmentally friendly" pigs with reduced levels of phosphate in their faeces are awaiting regulatory approval. These are only some examples of upcoming applications of genetic engineering in farm animals. Other potential applications include traditional breeding goals such as higher milk or meat yields, leaner meat, and disease resistance. While genetic engineering in livesk opens a huge range of possibilities, it also brings about concerns of safety and justification: does genetic engineering affect animal welfare? Is it safe and morally acceptable to apply genetic engineering to farm animals for the various purposes that are envisaged?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783540858423
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	11/21/2008
Series:	Ethics of Science and Technology Assessment , #34
Edition description:	2009
Pages:	146
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.60(d)

Table of Contents

Transgenic Farm Animals: Current Status and Perspectives for Agriculture and Biomedicine.- Methods to Generate Transgenic Animals.- Animal Pharming: Past Experience and Future Prospects.- Market Development of Biopharmaceuticals.- Ethical Aspects of Livesk Genetic Engineering.- Assessing the Welfare of Transgenic Farm Animals.