Several pieces of media have crossed my path on the genetic engineering (GE) of animals. I have a folder started with these types of things, but I thought I would just start making them available online for all of you too, in case we ever need to reference them.
Please take the time to read and listen to these stories. Do GE animals have the potential to provide human health benefits? To provide benefits to other animals? Or to protect our natural resources?
Listen to Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, U.C. Davis Cooperative Extension Specialist – Animal Genomics and Biology, discuss GE animals via UNL Market Journal.
Ebola cure may come from GE cattle – Wow, wouldn’t that be amazing?!
The release of GE mosquitoes may help protect against diseases like Dengue and Chikungunya, as well as decrease overall mosquito populations – but is the concern of being bitten by a genetically modified organism greater than the potential benefits?
I am excited to see where the science and technology of genetic engineering will go; there is tremendous potential and we are just in the infancy stages. I also believe research needs to continue to ensure if and when these projects come to fruition they are safe.
Do these stories excite you or make you nervous? If you had a magic wand, what would genetically engineered animals do for you?
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Dr. Lindsay can also be found on:
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