Morality of Genetically Modifying Animals

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Is Genetically Modifying animals at all Immoral? Is it an interference with God’s creation?

To what extent would it be immoral?
 
I am not a priest, just a sinner; but I don’t believe this to be immoral at all.

It is just the extension of what human life has done through millenniums with cross-breeding.

God Bless and ICXC NIKA.
 
I forget where he says this, but Aquinas says we owe animals no favor. They are not rational creatures. However, one must not be violent to them, for bad habits could affect humans.

That being said, I see nothing inherently wrong.
 
Can you be more specific about what you mean by genetically modify? I assume it means something other than cross-breeding or selective breeding but I’m not sure.
 
Didn’t God give man dominion over them? I would think that covers genetic manipulation.
 

It is just the extension of what human life has done through millenniums with cross-breeding…
i agree. ever since the agricultural revolution, people have been artificially choosing certain genes through selective breeding. the only difference now it that people can do the same thing with much more precision.

i think ethical issues might arise, though, when certain genes are copyrighted by corporations. see here.
 
i kept thinking about this and came up with something. i think that it matters on what purpose one has for genetic modification. so, nuclear research isn’t in itself immoral, it’s just knowledge. and nuclear fission can be used for good (electricity) or bad (bombs) reasons. but one could argue there was a certain morality at work when hiroshima and nagasaki were nuked, because the war could have dragged on and the amount of casualties could have been even greater, though that’s a whole 'nother discussion that i don’t want to get in to.

another thing to think about is whether modifying human genes is immoral. people are animals, so it applies. i could see how genetic therapy might one day cure deadly disease, which would probably be considered moral. but where would you draw the line? if curing down’s syndrome is ever possible, would it be okay? what about eye color?

anyway, interesting question.
 
Is Genetically Modifying animals at all Immoral? Is it an interference with God’s creation?
As others mentioned, the question may be too broad to answer. We need to know what is meant by “genetically modifying animals” in more detail. Quite a bit can fall under that heading.

It may be best to talk about specific cases, rather than a broad category, because the morality may come down to whether such modification impairs the health or well-being of the animal. And the manner in which it is being applied may also be important e.g. is it a limited, carefully controlled study or is it a commercial application under relatively unmonitored conditions?
 
Do you think dominion would allow brutality as well - whatever man wanted?
Why would you think genetic manipulation is brutal. There is no pain involved for the animals. Provided we do not cause animals unnecessary suffering we can use them and do what we want with them. Genetic manipulation (on animals and crops) is for the benefit of humans.
The Church allows experiments on animals for the benefit of humans.

CCC 2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image. Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.
 
Why would you think genetic manipulation is brutal. There is no pain involved for the animals. Provided we do not cause animals unnecessary suffering we can use them and do what we want with them. Genetic manipulation (on animals and crops) is for the benefit of humans.
The Church allows experiments on animals for the benefit of humans.

CCC 2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image. Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.
…yes, what you said! Unnec. cruelty is not moral.
 
Why would you think genetic manipulation is brutal. There is no pain involved for the animals. Provided we do not cause animals unnecessary suffering we can use them and do what we want with them. Genetic manipulation (on animals and crops) is for the benefit of humans.
The Church allows experiments on animals for the benefit of humans.

CCC 2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image. Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.
I wasn’t saying the genetic manipulation was brutal, although without more definition of what the OP means I can’t say if it is or not. I was responding to what I saw as a blanket statement that because God gave us dominion over animals we can do what we want to them.
 
I wasn’t saying the genetic manipulation was brutal, although without more definition of what the OP means I can’t say if it is or not. I was responding to what I saw as a blanket statement that because God gave us dominion over animals we can do what we want to them.
I don’t think anybody would defend tampering with animal life without serious reason.

But we are allowed to use their genes to seriously benefit our well-being, just as we may use their protein for our bodies.

ICXC NIKA
 
I think more research into what genetic modification means in this context needs to be done. Like plants, which have been modified to produce more fruit or survive in otherwise difficult soil conditions, experiments on animals to produce more meat or milk have been done. But, like plants that have been genetically modified, more research needs to be done to ensure the safety of such plants for human consumption. That is the primary issue there.

Peace,
Ed
 
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