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Biotechnology

 

Animals in their Nature: A Case Study on Public Attitudes to Animals, Genetic Modification and 'Nature'

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A discussion of the social and ethical dimensions regarding the creation and use of genetically modified animals, based on a study that analyzes how people express ethical concerns over these animals and selective breeding practices.

Science Takes Case for Animal Research to the People

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A decline in U.S. public support for the use of animals in research has led to an aggressive campaign by biomedical researchers to promote and defend the use of animals in medical and pharmaceutical research.

"Pain-Free Animals" - A Slope Too Slippery

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Regular readers of this blog know that I am an advocate of in vitro meat and believe it holds the promise to dramatically reduce animal suffering by removing most farm animals from the equation. Another approach would seek to genetically alter animals to remove or limit their ability to experience pain. While laudable in its intent, however, this is a pretty frightening concept, in part because it suggests that animal suffering is only physical in nature, ignoring the mental anguish suffered by animals.

Statistics Reveal 42% Rise in Scotland's Animal Experiments

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In 2008, researchers in Scotland conducted 555,567 experiments on 544,949 animals, representing a 42% increase in experiments over 2007; Scotland makes up 14% of Britain's total animal experiments.

Animal Productivity and Genetic Diversity: Cloned and Transgenic Animals

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This paper discusses cloning and transgenics, two recent reproductive technologies used to "improve agronomic traits in livestock." One limitation to the further development and use of these technologies has been a lack of public acceptance. This paper addresses cloning animals for breeding and food consumption, disease resistance in transgenic animals, and the use of transgenics for improved food and safety quality, decreased environmental impact, and increased production efficiency.

Republicans Move to the Right on Several Moral Issues

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The results of the 2009 Gallup "moral acceptability" survey shows that U.S. public acceptance of buying and wearing animal fur as clothing has risen slightly, while acceptance of medical testing on animals and cloning animals has remained essentially constant from 2008.

Are we winning the war for animals?

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HRC recently announced our latest collaborative research study designed to measure the progress of the U.S. animal advocacy movement. Supported by both organizational sponsors and contributions from individuals, the new study is a truly collaborative project designed to inexpensively gather reliable data. The new study will be on ongoing resource showing the status of animal protection in the U.S. according to a set of "key indicators." To learn more, please read our email to HRC's supporters...

High Court GE Decision a Victory for New Zealanders

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Recent polling in New Zealand confirms that most people oppose the genetic engineering (GE) of animals; twice as many respondents oppose GE in animals than support it. The New Zealand High Court has ruled against the Environmental Risk Management Authority's decision to allow GE animals.

Chef Survey: What's Hot in 2009

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According to the National Restaurant Association's survey of more than 1,600 professional chefs taken in October 2008, several animal products (meat and seafood) are among the hottest trend for restaurant menus in 2009.

"Carniculture" and the Future of In Vitro Meat

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Readers of this blog will already know that I have a thing for lab meat. I have written in the past that successful production and commercialization of in vitro animal flesh would reduce animal suffering by an estimated 98%, without ever having to convince anyone about "animal rights." Simply taking animals out of the equation does nothing to help progress human morality, of course, but it would profoundly help those animals who are raised and slaughtered for food. For animal advocates, it should be an obvious choice to support in vitro meat.


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