Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Genome Editing of Farmed Animals: A Public Dialogue
Challenge
The application of gene editing in farmed animals is one of the most near-term, but least discussed applications of the technology. It has a range of potential applications in farmed animal breeding – from increasing levels of protein to improving disease resistance - although some applications have given rise to significant concerns about possible impacts on animal welfare and farming practices.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCoB) is an independent body that informs policy and public debate about the ethical questions raised by biological and medical research. NCoB is currently running a major inquiry into the ethical and social issues raised by gene editing in farmed animals. As part of this work, NCoB commissioned Basis Social, working in partnership with Bright Harbour Research, to undertake a rapid online public dialogue on gene editing in farmed animals (including fish). NCoB commissioned this public dialogue to look beyond solely debating the safety of gene editing, and instead towards the ethical and governance questions that should influence whether society sees a role for this technology in the common values and goals we have for the UK.
Approach
On three weekday evenings between 15th June and 15th July 2021, 41 members of the public were convened to take part in an online public dialogue to identify and define key issues with gene editing in animals farmed for food and to provide insight into the considerations that citizens find relevant to the application of these technologies.
Impact
As well as informing NCoB’s own inquiry the intention of this dialogue was to inform future research, research strategy and regulatory policy development in a post-Brexit UK.
In undertaking this public dialogue we have shown that members of the public have clear priorities for food and faming in the UK. Gene editing technologies as applied to farmed animals do not run counter to their vision for our food system, and indeed could directly support desired futures. However, at present this is not the discussion that is being had with the public. Instead people are being asked to consider the technology out of context, in abstract and as an individual consumer, rather than as a citizen of the UK and the world. To effectively inform future biotechnology policy it will be important for a wider-ranging dialogue with members of the public, accounting for the role of gene editing in the context of the challenges, opportunities and public aspirations for the UK food system
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