Animal Biotechnology: Where to from here

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1 Animal Biotechnology: Where to from here Alison Van Eenennaam, Ph.D. Cooperative Extension Specialist Animal Biotechnology and Genomics University of California, Davis 7/11/2007

The public opposes animal biotechnology.. The majority (56%) of Americans oppose scientific research into genetic modifications of animals. http://pewagbiotech.

pdf In a survey of New Jersey consumers, Hallman found that two-thirds of respondants disapproved of traditional animal crossbreeding techniques and half found

2 The public opposes animal biotechnology.. The majority (56%) of Americans oppose scientific research into genetic modifications of animals. In a survey of New Jersey consumers, Hallman found that two-thirds of respondants disapproved of traditional animal crossbreeding techniques and half found them morally wrong. Schilling, B. J., Hallman, W. K., Adelaja, A. O., and Marxen, L. J Consumer Knowledge of Food Biotechnology: A Descriptive Study of U. S. Residents. Food Policy Institute, Cook College, Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey. 25p.

3 % US Public Attitude Surveys How much have you heard about animal biotechnology? (IFIC, 2005) A LOT SOME A LITTLE NOTHING

4 What is Biotechnology? Biotechnology Technology based on biology. The application of science and engineering to living organisms.

5 What did you hear/read about animal biotechnology? Cloning 15 % Faster Growth/Bigger Animals/More Meat, Milk, Eggs 11 % Hormones 10 % Nothing Specific 13 % Genetic Engineering 6 % Disease Resistance/Healthier Animals/Safer Food 5 % Changes to Animal Feed 4 % Better Quality Meat 5 % Concerns about effects/testing needed 4 % Steroids 2 % Testing on Animals/Raised in Labs 4 % What is Fed to Animals/ How animals Fed 4 % Breeding/AI 2 % Mad Cow 3 % Other 7 % Don t Know/Refused 27 %

6 Animal biotechnology Artificial selection (breeding programs) Artificial Insemination Hormone use Using DNA information for the markerassisted selection of superior animals Genomics Cloning Genetic engineering

7 % US Public Attitude Surveys How much have you heard about specific animal biotechnologies? (IFIC + PEW, 2005) 50 Animal Biotechnology Genetic Engineering Cloning A LOT SOME A LITTLE NOTHING

8 % Public Attitudes Towards Specific Animal Biotechnologies (IFIC, 2005) FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE GENOMICS GENETIC ENGINEERING CLONING

Summary and a lesson for Animal Genomics Biotechnology remains an abstract and unfamiliar concept that, in the absence of other information or knowledge, seems to evoke negative reactions.

9 Summary and a lesson for Animal Genomics Biotechnology remains an abstract and unfamiliar concept that, in the absence of other information or knowledge, seems to evoke negative reactions. People do distinguish between different animal biotechnologies, and they are not all lumped together in the public mind despite the chaotic character of the information that most citizens receive *. Blurring distinctions or using euphemisms may yolk the fates of technologies differing in their social acceptability pooled biotechnologies will tend to have a common fate. * Fischhoff, B., & Fischhoff, I. (2001). Publics' opinions about biotechnologies. AgBioForum, 4 (3&4), Available on the World Wide Web:

10 Suggested guidelines for improving understanding about agricultural biotechnology

11 Nearly half of the people who approved of the use of biotechnology in plants did not support its use for animals. Variables that had a positive and significant influence on public approval of plant biotechnology were not significant factors in approval of animal biotechnology: Young (< 35 years of age) College-education (4-year college degree) Attend religious services occasionally Moderate knowledge of science (5-7/10 on science quiz) Animal Biotechnology was best supported by people with: Confidence in scientists A graduate education The best understanding of science (>7/10 on science quiz) F. Hossain, B. Onyango, A. Adelaja, B. Schilling and W. Hallman Public Perceptions of Biotechnology and Acceptance of Genetically Modified Food (2002).

12 Knowledge of Transgenic Animals The majority of Americans oppose scientific research into genetic modifications of animals - irrespective of self-assessed knowledge level Favor Oppose Don't Know Nothing 32% A little % Some % A lot 6% % In Favor or Opposed to Research into Genetically Modifying Animals 10/2005 Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Education

13 Of the Americans who are uncomfortable or unsure about animal cloning; their primary concern is: Religious or ethical 36% Safety 23% Personally uncomfortable with it 13% The effect on animal species 10% Fear of risks 6% No opinion 6% Distrust producers of clones 5% Other 1% 10/2005

14 Commercialized products of animal biotechnology... 12/2004

15 1. Government regulators should include ethical and moral considerations, in addition to scientific evaluation of risks and benefits, when making regulatory decisions about cloning or genetically modifying animals. 2. Though ethical and moral considerations are important, government regulators should consider only scientific evaluation of risks and benefits when making regulatory decisions about cloning and genetically modifying animals. 1. Morals / Ethics and Science 53% 10% 63% 2. Science only 27% 18% 9% 10% Not Sure 10% Feel that way strongly

16 GloFish barred on ethical grounds in California - just a pet Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Education

17 just a floral arrangement Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Education

18 How to incorporate social and ethical issues into regulatory decisions? American consumers (75%) and scientists (70%) agree that cloning and genetic engineering of animals raise some moral and ethical issues However public is much less likely to approve (21-25%) of these technologies than scientists (60-68%) How to reach a societal consensus on which set of values will ultimately be applied to decide the acceptable uses of animal biotechnology? Incorporation of non-technological concerns is the most difficult issue faced by animal biotechnology Keystone Research Center (2004) Biotechnology and ethics: a national survey of consumers and scientists. Report to the Biotechnology Industry Organization. KRC Research, Washington DC, 29pp. Animal Biotechnology and Genomics Education

20 Alison Van Eenennaam, PhD Cooperative Extension Specialist Animal Genomics and Biotechnology Department of Animal Science 2113 Meyer Hall One Shields Avenue Davis, CA Phone: FAX:

Transgenic Animals: Where to from here?

Transgenic Animals: Where to from here? Alison Van Eenennaam, Ph.D. Cooperative Extension Specialist Animal Biotechnology and Genomics University of California, Davis alvaneenennaam@ucdavis.edu 8/13/2007