Animal Breeding Ethics

Horse racing has become increasingly popular as demonstrated by the growing amount of money bet on events each year. The Kentucky Derby, horse racing’s most well known event, is an applicable example. While lasting just over two minutes, the main race generated $112.7 million in wagering, up 7.8% from the year prior. (Brisnet.com) Some critics, however, feel that the sport as a whole has become artificially supported through genetic enhancement used to achieve the high level of precision and strength necessary to excel. An anonymous opinion piece in the New York Times brings attention to the relationship between an industry that has grown exponentially in revenue and the pressure placed on those in position to capitalize on that growth. In light of this opportunity to make a substantial amount of money trends have been established that undermine the safety of both the jockey and the horse. Although through the horses inability to voice an opinion in its own partnership a unique situation is created. Unlike the horse, a jockey may refuse the trainer or mangers urging to partake in jeopardizing or otherwise illicit activities. The risk thus unwillingly imposed on the horse raises large ethical and moral concerns, especially when the motives behind the behavior are made clear. In specific circumstances the use of genetic enhancement may be extremely beneficial although within horse racing the implementation of such procedures are by and large not utilized for the benefit of the horse but for the increased profit derived through alteration. Genetic alteration of horses is ethically and morally unjust within the context of horse racing because the long term risks the horses are unwillingly exposed to garner more importance than the in...

... middle of paper ...

...W.H Kwok, D.K.K Leung, T.S.M Wan, and A.S.Y Wong. "Metabolic Studies of Turinabol in Horses."Analytica Chimica Acta. 586 (2007): 208-216. Print.

Ray, Margaret. "Advertising and Pricing Policies in the Equine Breeding Industry or Sex and the Single Stallion."Applied Economics. 23.4 (1991): 755-762. Print.

"Sports People: Horse Racing;drug Suspension for Jockey." New York Times October 12, 1995, Nytimes.com, May 25, 2012.

Thoroughbred Horse Racing Jockeys and Workers: Examining On-Track Injury Insurance and Other Health and Welfare Issues : Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Ninth Congress, First Session, October 18, 2005. Washington: U.S. G.P.O, 2005. Print.

"Total Derby Wagering Increases 7.8 Percent - Handicappers' Edge." Brisnet.com. Web. 01 June 2012.