Morality of the Genetic Engineering of Animals

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Genetic engineering of animals has become a hotly debated topic in both secular and religious settings because of recent technological advances in the field and the profound unnatural outcome of the process. In other words, genetic engineering in animals is a genetic development in organisms that is not in accordance with the laws of nature. Animals that have been genetically altered include micro-organisms such as yeast and fungi and others like mammals, insects, and plants. The primary areas of debate are the labling of GM (genetically modified) foods, the extent of government regulation in the process, concerns about the consequences of genetic modification, and the overall health and safety of animals being used for this system. Because of the countless benefits of pursuing and using genetically engineered animals, the system should continue but should also receive heightened regulation by the government to secure extended rights for animals and proper safety for humans.

Genetic modifying of animals found its beginning and the beginning of controversy in America nearly forty years ago. “Genetic engineering is a process in which scientists use recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology to introduce desirable traits into an organism” (Animal & Veterinary). During 1972, a Stanford University professor documented the first compilation of recombinant DNA, in other words; he recombined DNA molecules from preexisting DNA. Not soon after this discovery, the methodology was pursued by scientists at the University of California where they successfully transferred the recombined DNA into bacteria. Not only could the DNA be properly sustained and duplicated but it could also function like normal cells. Not long after these profound discoveries...

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...vely and wisely. Theology and basic morality provide the limits to genetic engineering and the governments in the world should stay within these limits.

Works Cited

"Animal & Veterinary." Genetically Engineered Animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

"ECONOMICS AND ETHICS IN THE GENETIC ENGINEERING OF ANIMALS." harvard.edu/. n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2014.

"Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Transgenics." Actionbioscience. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

"Genetic Engineering Could Rescue Animals, Plants from Extinction." Bioscience Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

"Lab Animal Welfare." Genetic Engineering. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014.

Ormandy, Elisabeth, Julie Dale, and Gilly Griffin. "Current context of genetically engineered animals." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 5 Oct. 1930. Web. 5 Apr. 2014.

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