Ethical Dilemmas And Advantages And Disadvantages Of Genetically Modified Animals

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Imagine if your favorite pet could live forever or if an animal undesirable characteristic could be removed. Well, now they can, thanks to biotechnology. Biotechnology is “... any use of science or technology to alter the characteristic of a particular breed or animal” (Biotechnology, 2014). In recent years, genetically modifying animals have become extremely predominate which causes many ethical dilemmas; however, we will only discuss two whether animals have rights and advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified animals. The ethical dilemma that biotechnology faces is whether animals have rights. Many people believe that animals should not have rights because they are just animals. However by stating this, they are saying that …show more content…

Since most people have had a pet, imagine if your pet was being treated as property instead of as a member of your family. If your pet undergoing genetic modification, you would want to make sure your pet was treated right and was comfortable. Therefore, we should treat all animals that way. As the philosopher, Immanuel Kant would have said all animals have rights, a certain way to treat them. Although both Kant and St Augustine agree that animals have rights and therefore should be treated right, I agree more with Kant’s reasoning. Even though genetically altered animals do have some advantage the disadvantages definitely outweigh the positive aspects. Kant and St Augustine both agreed with that as well. However, I agree more with St Augustine reasoning. By altering the genetic code of an animal, one is basically playing God. In addition, there are too many consequences to risk it. Despite the fact that genetically modified animal may be beneficial and a learning opportunity, it is important to understand that there needs to be a restriction. There needs to be someone who will be the voice for the animal because they are not property, they can be family

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