Biotech Animals in Research

This book explores central aspects of genetic modification of animals for scientific purposes in the context technological possibilities, regulatory issues in different regions, animal welfare implications and wider ethical issues exemplified through current theories and frameworks.

This discussion of lab animals produced through modern biotechnologies becomes increasingly pressing as CRISPR-Cas9 technology advances rapidly, challenging legal and ethical frameworks all over the world. Such animals are now affordable and readily available to almost every branch of scientific research. This not only raises enormous potential for creating ‘tailored’ models for human diseases but also rubs up against the traditional guiding principles (the 3Rs) for the humane use of animals for scientific experiments and raises wider ethical issues around death, integrity and naturalness. In this book, expert authors from diverse backgrounds in laboratory animal care, animal research, technology and animal rights explore a range of topics, from the science behind biotech research animals and the regulation of their use, to utilitarian, animal rights, virtue ethics and ethics of care, and critical animal studiers' perspectives on the use of these technologies.

Whatever your background or role in animal research, this book will challenge and stimulate deeper consideration of the benefits, disadvantages and ethical consequences of the use of biotechnology in the animal laboratory.

Mickey Gjerris is an associate professor at the Department of Food and Resource Economics at the University of Copenhagen, where he researches and teachs animal ethics, environmental ethics, bioethics, medical ethics and climate ethics. He teaches courses for veterinarians, animal researchers and animal caretakers, both at universities and at private companies. He is a former member at the Danish Council on Ethics.

Anna Kornum has worked as a consultant to several animal protection NGO’s and previously as academic associate, working with animal welfare policy and legislation at the Ministry of Justice and later the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. In recent years she has been collaborating with academic institutions and private sector laboratories to promote the 3R’s and their implement into research practice. She is particularly interested in behavioural deprivation of animals and has written reports and a peer-reviewed article on the subject.

Helena Röcklinsberg is an associate professor in ethics and teaches animal ethics at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences as well as performing research on ethical issues in relation to animals and food from bachelor to PhD students. Röcklinsberg’s research covers ethical issues related to animals used in research and food industry, including fish and insects, as well as those inherent in the veterinary profession. She has been a member of the committee for ethics and education in animal research at the Swedish Board of Agriculture since 2008, followed by the Expert group on animal research under the National committee since its establishment in 2019.

Dorte Bratbo Sørensen is an associate professor at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Copenhagen and researches and teachs animal welfare in laboratory animals on pre- and postgraduate levels. She is the founder of CeLAT, Center of Laboratory Animal Training; a small center working with improving welfare through handling and husbandry. She has been a member of the Danish Competent Authority for experimental animals since 2009.