For thousands of years, humans have domesticated animals in order to create a reliable and abundant food source. Selective breeding was used to ensure that desirable traits were passed down through generations of domesticated animals, while other, less desirable traits could be gradually removed from a bloodline. However, as technology has advanced in recent years, the process of breeding animals for specific traits has been taking to a new extreme with the introduction of genetically modified organisms. This change in the process of breeding today’s domesticated animals, especially those meant to be food sources, has sparked mass international debate. In order to understand the impact of genetically modified organisms, we must examine the history of these GMOs, the ethics of the process, and how it could impact our health.

Genetic engineering today usually involves the direct transfer of DNA from one organism to another. This was first achieved by Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen in 1973 when they introduced recombinant DNA into a bacterial cell. Their success led to a mass following of scientists looking to build on their experiment, introducing desirable traits into animals and plants by directly introducing DNA from other organisms into their genetic makeup. Experts in the food industry began to genetically engineer domesticated animals such as chicken, cattle, and pigs in attempts to make them more desirable for the consumer market. Animals grew faster, developed stronger muscles, better resisted disease, and even consumed foods that were also genetically modified. The animals that had been genetically altered passed down their new traits to their offspring, ensuring many generations of bigger, better food sources.

However, the practice of genetically modifying our food supply has led to much debate over the ethics of changing the genetic information of our animals. Animal rights activists argue that animals have rights to breed naturally without the intervention of human scientists, corrupting their DNA with the introduction of genetic material from foreign species. There is also concern that these genetically altered animals could possibly escape into the wild, disturbing natural populations and even leading to the elimination of certain species. Some are concerned about the effects genetic modification has on animals. Many feel that introducing foreign DNA into an animal negatively affects that animal’s genetic homeostasis. There have been studies that show, in some cases, genetic modification caused lameness, infertility, and other health issues in animals who were tested on.

Genetic modification of animals has also led to many human health concerns all over the world. Many have concerns that it will negatively affect the health of humans that consume animal products that have been genetically altered. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine, for example, has asked doctors to educate their patients on the possible health issues that could spring from mass consumption of genetically modified animal products, including accelerated aging, immune problems, and even infertility. Other groups advocate the selection of natural, unaltered products for the mass market, arguing that it is much better for the modern consumer to choose organic products that will be more beneficial for their health. However, others dispute their claims, saying there have not been enough studies conducted to prove that GMOs have negative health impacts. John Entine, a scientific journalist and author, states in an article that “GM feed is safe and nutritionally equivalent to non-GMO feed. There was no indication of any unusual trends in the health of animals since 1996 when GMO crops were first harvested.” He also claims in the same article that there have been thousands of studies that show that biotechnology has no negative effects to human health.

Genetic modification of animals is a very controversial issue today, dividing health experts and scientists in a mass debate about the effects it has on both animals and humans. Many put their stamp of approval on the process, arguing it is not hazardous to our health, while others claim that creating GMOs is a violation of nature’s laws and that we should stick to more naturally-produced products. Either way, it does not appear that the mass manufacturing of bigger and better animals will slow down; after all, it makes the food industry a fortune, allowing animal products to be made more efficiently and at a lower cost to the manufacturers and farmers alike. It appears that it is up to the individual consumer to decide to whether or not to buy into the new GMO craze or choose to stay natural and organic instead.