Jianhui Li

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. 5   
Received: 02 Sep., 2024    Accepted: 12 Oct., 2024    Published: 28 Oct., 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.

The application of genetically modified organisms (GMO) animals in agriculture, medicine, and biological research has expanded rapidly, yet it has also sparked ethical controversies concerning species boundaries, animal rights, and technological risks. This paper aims to systematically review the current implementation of ethical review systems and animal welfare protection measures for GMO animals. It analyzes the differences in ethical governance practices across countries and regions, as well as the challenges and dilemmas they face. The study finds that current international ethical review frameworks lack uniform standards and coordinated implementation, and that there is significant tension between animal welfare protection and technological efficacy. Moreover, public acceptance of GMO animals varies significantly depending on their intended use, while inadequate media communication and ethical outreach have contributed to widespread public misunderstanding. Moving forward, it is essential to establish globally coordinated ethical standards and promote a shift in ethical governance from mere harm reduction to proactive welfare enhancement. The co-design of technological development and ethical oversight is also needed. This study provides critical theoretical and practical guidance to improve the scientific rigor, transparency, and public engagement of GMO animal ethics governance, offering both timely relevance and forward-looking value.

GMO animals; Ethical review; Animal welfare; Public attitudes; Ethical governance