Editing Genetic engineering of animals: Ethical issues, including welfare concerns

Here is a summary of the journal article at a 9th grade reading level:

== Genetic Engineering of Animals: Ethical Issues ==

=== What is Genetic Engineering of Animals? ===

Genetic engineering means changing an animal's genes using technology. It includes:

- Adding new genes 
- Removing genes  
- Altering existing genes

Some examples are glow-in-the-dark fish, hypoallergenic cats, and cloning animals.

=== Why Genetically Engineer Animals? ===

There are many reasons to genetically engineer animals:

- As pets - like tailless cats or hypoallergenic dogs.

- For conservation - cloning extinct or endangered species. 

- For food - chickens that grow bigger or cows that make healthier milk.

- For medicine - mice with human diseases to test new drugs. 

- For organ transplants - pigs with humanized organs.

=== What are the Animal Welfare Concerns? ===

Genetic engineering can cause pain, distress or health problems for the animals:

- Procedures like surgery to transfer embryos can be invasive.

- Many animals are used to create a single genetically engineered line. 

- Effects of genetic changes can be unpredictable and cause suffering.

- Cloned animals often have abnormalities and health problems.

There are efforts to refine techniques to reduce animal suffering. But welfare impacts remain a concern.

=== Beyond Animal Welfare - What are the Ethical Issues? ===

Some ethical issues go beyond animal welfare:

- Altering an animal's 'essence' or purpose.

- Violating the integrity or dignity of species.

- Unbalancing the relationship between humans and animals.

- Patenting animals raises concerns about commercialization.

Views differ on whether limits should be set on genetic engineering animals. It involves complex ethical questions.

=== What is the Role of Veterinarians? ===

Veterinarians should:

- Understand the context, uses and ethical issues.

- Monitor animal health and welfare.

- Inform the public and policy discussions. 

- Voice concerns from an animal health perspective.

Careful oversight is needed as genetically engineered animals become commercialized.

== Key References ==

- MacArthur et al. 2006 - Impacts of animal breeding on welfare
- Weaver & Morris 2005 - Risks of genetic modification 
- Rollin 2003 - Telos and genetic engineering
- Schuppli & Weary 2010 - Public attitudes on genetic modification