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Genetics, genomics, and ethics discussed in Journal of Dairy Science report

 

A recent Journal of Dairy Science review suggests breeding organizations and companies take an active role in ethical discussions about genetic modification and genome editing.

Lead author Dr. Susanne Eriksson says clear and honest information about different methods and their potential use and consequences should be provided by researchers, and talking about ethical issues with stakeholders might lead to less miscommunication.

Editor-in-chief Matt Lucy says it is no longer a question of whether gene editing and genetic modification of farm animals can be done, but, rather, should it be done and who decides what is acceptable.  He says international cooperation is needed because dairy genetics are distributed throughout the world.