Symposium “New Applications of Genetic Engineering in Livestock”

Which opportunities arise from genetically engineering farm animals, what kind of progress is made in this technology, and which concerns should be dealt with? Together with the Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften (BBAW), the Europäische Akademie had invited an interdisciplinary audience and panel of speakers to discuss these questions at the BBAW in Berlin on 21st and 22nd September 2007.  

Professor Angelika Schnieke (Technische Universität München), who is also a member of the project group “Pharming”, told the audience about the long and difficult path to the first approval of a biopharmaceutical produced in transgenic livestock. In the late 1990s, the expectation had been for this process to take only four to five years. However, intellectual property problems and other difficulties hampered the progress. Now, 20 years later, the breakthrough has been achieved with a human blood clotting factor produced in transgenic goats. This may just be the start: Professor Gary Walsh (University of Limerick, Ireland) spoke about the growing market for biopharmaceuticals, and how transgenic animals may play a role in delivering to it.

Will transgenic animals also have a breakthrough in food production? Professor Heiner Niemann (FAL Mariensee) thought so and expressed his view that in 20 years, genetic engineering will probably be one method among others for breeding desired traits in farm animals. He introduced the audience to the many potentials of transgenic farm animals: besides medical applications as bioreactors, medical models and organ donors, transgenic farm animals are also envisaged to provide healthier food products, healthier production animals, and a better environment. Some genetically engineered lines are already waiting for market approval: transgenic salmon that grow quickly, cows that are resistant to udder inflammation, and pigs that have reduced phosphate content in their faeces.

Professor Louis-Marie Houdebine (INRA, Jouy-en-Josas, France) explained to the audience the biotechnological challenges and possible solutions at the forefront of research. Refinement of these methods is important not only for effective production of transgenic “founder animals” (this is how the first transgenic generation is called) but also for elimination of side-effects on animal welfare. However, as the audience learned from Professor Adroaldo Zanella (Norges Veterinærhøgskole, Norway), little is at present known about the potential effects of genetic engineering on animal welfare. He explained that how animals can cope with challenges depends partly on the expression of specific proteins in their brains, and genetic changes could influence these mechanisms. Dr. Kees van Reenen (ID Lelystad, The Netherlands) explained a biotechnology-integrated approach to investigating effects of transgenesis on animal welfare by testing the appropriate generations of a transgenic line bred from the founder animals.

Professor Matthias Kaiser (The National Committee for Research Ethics in Science and Technology in Norway) suggested that in order to justify taking risks with a technology, it is not sufficient to identify a benefit. He called for an integrated ethical assessment where risks and benefits are seen in their societal perspective (e.g. who benefits?, who takes on responsibility?). Kaiser argued for a transparent democratic ethical debate where scientists take the initiative to also explain the scientific insecurities regarding the consequences of the technology. He stressed that given the plurality of values and complex risks, the precautionary principle needs to be observed and each product should be evaluated case-by-case. In the near future, he thought that only “pharming” would hold the promise of sufficient benefits to counter objections to the use of transgenic farm animals.

Contributions to the symposium will be published in 2008: “Genetic Engineering in Livestock” at Springer-Verlag.

 

Contact:

Kristin Hagen, Ph.D.

+49 (0) 2641 973-318

kristin.hagen(at)ea-aw.de

 

Further information on the programme:

Documents

HT07_GeneticEngineering_092007.pdf (248 KB)