Genetic Modification of Animals

According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary (2001), genetic engineering means that the conscious modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. Genetic modification of animals can give benefits to society, xenotransplantation can be lifesaving and the animal research is also important for chemical testing. However, some oppose this as it can cause animals suffering, the organ donation from animals can endanger human and some cases show that it is harmful and providing no useful application. The question is ‘Should the genetic modification and experimentation of animals be banned?’.

There are three methods that can be used for genetic modification of animals such as DNA microinjection, embryonic stem cell-mediated gene transfer and retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. DNA microinjection involves the direct microinjection of a chosen gene construct from another member of the same species or from a different species, into the pronucleus of a fertilized ovum. Whereas, embryonic stem cell-mediated gene transfer involves prior insertion of the desired DNA sequence by homologous recombination into an in vitro culture of embryonic stem cells. In retrovirus-mediated gene transfer, retroviruses are used as vectors to transfer genetic material into the cell as they able to infect host cells in this way(Buy,n.d.). The animals that are genetically modified are called as transgenic animals. They can be used in the animal experimentation to produce useful products, as organ donors in xenotransplantation and also in animal research for product testing.

Genetic modification and experimentation of animals can benefit society as they can lead to the production of useful products for food, science, and medicine. For example, cows can be genetically modified to produce different kinds of milk for food and bioengineered pigs and rats can be used as models for science, so scientist can use them to study human diseases and develop the treatments for them (Crawford, 2004). The research on animals also benefited in medical field. For example, from the research scientists can produce vaccine for polio, insulin for diabetic persons, effective drugs for patients with high blood pressure and others and proves that animal experimentation is justified (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 2005).

Secondly, animal-to-human organ transplant could benefit human, so, it shows that genetic modification and experimentation of animals should not be banned. The animals have been genetically engineered to delete the harmful genes such as the gene that responsible for the human rapid immune rejection response. Hence, the transgenic animals can be the organ donor and as a lifesaving for the thousands of people waiting for organ donations. Xenotransplantation could be very good news for patients with end-stage organ diseases. A case in 1992 can be a proof when a pig liver was implanted alongside the old diseased liver in a patient (Williams, 2005).


Thirdly, animal research is vital to human health as chemical testing on animals saves lives. Transgenic animals have been genetically modified by inserting interested gene to give the accurate response to the certain chemical products. That is why they are the most reliable subjects for testing medicines and various products before the products are allowed onto market. This is because animal testing can determines the level of toxicity of the products (The National Anti-Vivisection Society, 2004). For example, cosmetic, personal care and household products have been animal-tested before they are introduced into the market in order to ensure the health and safety of consumers (Dixon, 2000).

References:
1. Buy, M n.d., Transgenic Animals , viewed on 23 February 2008, http://www.%20acs.ucalgary.ca/

2. Crawford, L 2006, ‘The Genetic Engineering of Animals Can Benefit Society’, in Genetic Engineering, Barbour, S (ed.), Greenhaven Press, pp. 93-99.

3. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 2005, ‘Animal Medical Experimentation Is Justified’, in The Rights Of Animals, Treanor, N (ed), Greenhaven Press, Formington Hills, pp. 50-54.

4. Williams, RD 2005, ‘Animal-to-Human Organ Transplant Could Benefit Humans’, in The Rights Of Animals, Treanor, N (ed), Greenhaven Press, Formington Hills, pp 61-66.


5. National Antivivisection Society n.d., Animal Experiments, viewed on 11 January 2008, http://www.navs.org.uk/

6. Dixon, T 2000, Animal Research, viewed on 9 January 2008,

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