Genetically modified animals in the biomedical sciences: The challenge of rapid advances & ethical demands

Technologies which permit targeted manipulation of genetic material not only provide new opportunities to explore the organization, regulation and biological or pathological function of molecular processes but, in so doing, have revolutionised the development and validation of animal models. In a very short time, we have seen rapid escalation in the development of new models, most often in mice, and the pace and scope of these changes is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. With the introduction of these technologies, community concern focused on the risks to human health and the environment. Thus, public policies seek to restrict access to or release of such genetically modified (GM) organisms including GM animals or animals infected with GM material; agreed criteria define the risk and thus the level of containment which determines the conditions of housing and animal husbandry. Despite the potential benefits, there are significant ethical and logistic challenges in the development and management of GM animals with implications for both their welfare and scientific outcomes. This paper will explore key issues around the demand to house, manage and monitor large numbers of GM animals, the definition of GM animal models, and the management of models where welfare is compromised.