Animal Biotechnology

Political Cartoon

Genetics

Squeal Pig Squeal

India Waller

                It is a well-known fact, thanks to Food INC., The Omnivores Dilemma, and other food oriented pieces of art, that our food system is grotesque and cruel.  Cows are crammed together in their own filth, and chicks’ beaks are clipped off.  There are many debates and proposals about how to approach this problem but none quite like this one.  With where we are today with genetic research there is a possibility that our meat could be genetically altered to make these animals feel no pain. 

                A lot of research has been done on mice and a gene called Nav 1.7.  It has been discovered that the mice lacking this gene are less sensitive to pain.  In an article written by Lisa Zyga they explain how genetic engineering could alter the farm animals genetic to make it so they lack the gene Nav 1.7 which would hopefully decreasing their ability to feel pain.  There has also been some test where scientist engineer mice that lack specific enzymes and genes.  This make it so the animals can still sense pain which not feeling the unpleasant sensation.  Both are experimental and new.  Many people including Adan Shriver, a philosopher, feel that this is not the best option but is an improvement. 

                There is much controversy over Genetically Modified Organisms.  It’s still so new we don’t know what to expect.  I personally feel that we as a human race believe that we are so much smarter than millions of years of evolution.  We change something to make it more convenient but then it causes a problem, but instead of going back and looking at our mistake we find a new way to solve that problem which in turn makes a new problem.  An example of this is when we began to feed cows cheap corn and made them live on a limited amount of land while standing in their own feces, this made cheap beef and lot of it but made it so they were so sick they needed antibiotic in their feed.  This brought on a whole other problem of an excess amount of antibiotics creating an ideal environment for viruses to mutate.  This also cause the cows to have unhealthy stomachs which caused more pollution and waste.  I feel that we need to change our ways and not just cover up our mistakes.  Therefor I feel that this mutation of the genes of these animals is not the best way to approach this problem.