li jianhui

Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang Colloge of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
GMO Biosafety Research, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 6   
Received: 08 Nov., 2024    Accepted: 12 Dec., 2024    Published: 26 Dec., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as a significant achievement of modern biotechnology, have shown extensive application prospects in basic research, agricultural development, and medical treatment. However, the application of genetic modification technology is accompanied by ethical controversy and challenges to animal protection. This article systematically reviews the current research and application status of GMO animals, covering basic research, agriculture, food, and medicine, and discusses regulatory policies and commercialization trends worldwide. Furthermore, it addresses the most pressing ethical and technical challenges facing GMO animals, including the precision and off-target effects of genetic modification technology, potential environmental and ecological impacts, and conflicts between technological applications and societal ethical acceptance. The paper focuses on the animal welfare protection of GMO animals, including the impact of genetic modification on animal health and behavior, animal welfare assessment in experimental and production environments, and the technical, managerial, and legal systems involved. By comparing international ethical review systems and common cases, the article highlights the need for social acceptance and public participation in ethical reviews. In the future, it is necessary to balance technological innovation and moral standards, and global collaboration in policy optimization, public education, and science communication is vital to achieving the sustainable application of GMO animals. This research provides a theoretical foundation for the development of GMO animal technologies and practical recommendations for protecting animal welfare, strengthening ethical review processes, and building international regulatory policies.

Genetically modified animals; Ethical review; Animal welfare; Technical challenges; Global regulatory policies