Integrität und genetische Veränderung von Nutztieren

Abstract

In discussing problems of genetic engineering animal ethicists frequently use the concept of animal integrity besides the concept of dignity. Integrity in general refers to the physical aspect of bodily intactness. But beyond that, the integrity of an animal comprises also a dynamic and an activedirected aspect. Within the framework of the integrity approach no fundamental difference can be found between genetic modification of farm animals by means of genetic engineering or selective breeding. Nevertheless genetic engineering is of particular importance for animal ethics because it evokes strong public reactions that may lead to a change in our attitude towards animals in our care. In the following text I will argue for this thesis using the example of genetic reduction of an animal's essential capacities.

“Naturalness” and Its Relation to Animal Welfare from an Ethological Perspective

“…Though we very much doubt that an organism such as "lickens" can ever be produced due to the complexity of the genetic basis of behavioural control mechanisms (and we agree that producing such organisms would be highly questionable with respect to ethics [38,39]), they provide an interesting thought experiment [1]. Lickens are genetically modified chickens that have no legs, beaks or feathers.…”