THE NEXT GM BATTLEFIELD: THE FRANKENSTEIN FARMS

Source: Incredible Things

Source: MailOnline

By Sean Poulter

GENETIC modification could lead to 'zombie' farm animals programmed to feel no pain or stress, Government advisers warned yesterday.

The disturbing image of ranks of 'animal vegetables' was painted by members of the new Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission as part of an attempt to raise public awareness of the next GM battlefield - the Frankenstein Farmyards.

Despite the backlash over GM crops, most people are still ignorant of the rapid developments and ethical implications of genetic engineering of animals, they said. Regulatory action is needed soon because current experiments will soon be turned into commercial reality. Laboratories are already working to produce chickens which have more breast meat and sheep which grow more wool. Cows are being altered to ensure their milk is less fatty while pigs are being engineered to grow at incredibly fast rates. One firm in the U.S. has said it will be ready to start supplying genetically-engineered salmon to fish farms around the world within a year. 'Super-animals' carrying human genes are being created which can be farmed in sterile conditions to provide transplant organs such as hearts and lungs.

Yesterday the commission, which was set up to provide advice which will form the core of legislation to cope with the leaps in technology, launched a massive consultation exercise to involve the public in the future on GM policy in Britain.

At the same time papers issued by two commission members, scientist Dr Matthew Freeman and academic Dr Ben Mepham, highlighted the need to take into account major concerns for animal welfare as well as ethical and religious objections.

Dr Mepham, of Nottingham University, executive director of the Food Ethics Council, argued that the impact of GM on animals in both food and medical fields is huge. He said it might become 'technically possible to produce 'animal vegetables' --highly prolific and oblivious to their physical and mental status'.

While that might reduce the pain and stress of factory farming, this did not mean it should be allowed to develop without question, he argued. He warned that many of the GM experiments on animals have resulted in cruelty, producing mutants or animals which grow so large in the womb that they can only be surgically removed.

His paper stated: 'The question of whether humanity should take it upon ourselves to alter animals by GM is undoubtedly critical for many people.'

Fundamental religious groups would see it as 'an attempt to usurp God's role' while others would be unhappy about 'so fundamentally altering the natural order'.

Dr Freeman warned: 'Animal GM has not yet hit the public consciousness in the way that plant GM has, but its development is well advanced.'

The scientist, an expert in molecular biology with the Medical Research Council, said GM animals are being engineered to grow bigger and more quickly to increase food production. The addition of genes for various growth factors and hormones can improve food yield from agriculturally important animals.

'Examples recently discussed have been rapidly growing salmon and chickens with extra breast meat. Many other examples are also being experimented with.' His paper stressed: 'As a controversial issue, this has all the right elements. There are very substantial potential benefits but it raises all the same concerns as plant genetic modification with the important added factors of animal welfare.

'GM in principle allows myriad alterations to an organism's biology making it a powerful tool that has the potential both for benefit and harm.' Dr Freeman suggested that large swathes of the population are likely to fight the creation of GM animals, regardless of whether they are for food or medicine.

'Some people will object in principle, on religious, aesthetic or ethical grounds to altering the genetic make-up of animals. There are questions over the process of genetic modification. Even if the end product is acceptable or desirable, is it ethically acceptable to subject animals to the procedures necessary to make them? The ethical issue is also raised of how much animal suffering we as humans are prepared to accept, when balanced against potential benefits to us.'

An increasing number of animals are currently being genetically modified to help in the development of cures for diseases. The papers suggested the benefits could revolutionise medicine and prevent much pain and suffering. They point out how animal organs, such as pig hearts might be genetically modified to ensure they are accepted by the human body without the need for drugs. But they also warned of the dangers of transferring animal viruses to humans and pointed to BSE - and how the Aids virus jumped from apes to humans and BSE.

Yesterday commission chairman, Professor Malcolm Grant said it aimed to 'provide people across the country with a voice in government on GM issues'. He said that as independent advisers they would present both scientific information and reflect the social and ethical views of stakeholders and the general public.'

Last week, Greenpeace campaigners led by Lord Melchett were cleared of criminal damage for wrecking a field of GM maize in a landmark verdict signalling the public's deep suspicion of the 'Brave New World' promised by food scientists.

s.poulter@dailymail.co.uk

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