The Pros And Cons Of Genetically Engineered Animals

Counterargument 1.
The potential success genetically engineered animals would have in the industry. One of the main reasons GE animals are supported by pioneers in this area is that these animals could make the food and pharmaceutical industry more efficient in different ways. GE animals can improve traits of economic importance for producers; this includes improvement of animal health, growth rate, and disease resistance (Forabosco 3-6). GE animals are also beneficial for pharmacists as they can be modified to produce complex proteins in the milk of cow and goats (Lievens 159). However, there are different sources which question these ideas, and have stated that regardless how beneficial these technologies can be for producers and pharmacists, GE would be a failure in the market, as large majority of consumers oppose to eat or use products coming from these animals. As in any other commercial industry, it is fundamental that consumers buy the products, but for the case of GE animals, the consumers’ acceptance seems very negative. Mora et al mention that as much as 65% of people asked disagreed with the idea of consuming fish that was genetically engineered to be more efficient (317). Other studies have concluded that people have a great preference for non-GM pork, comparted to GM pork (Novoselova

However, this is not true to all the cases and there even are some techniques to reduce the negative perception of GE in the food and pharmaceutical industry. To prove this, I will include Frewer’s article, which discusses how consumers’ acceptance increases when the benefits for them are greater than the risks involved (Frewer 1303). I will also explain that there is little concerned related to GE for pharmaceutical purposes, as it is mentioned by both Frewer and Mora et