Gene editing technologies including CRISPR offer opportunities to reduce livestock welfare problems through disease resistance and conformation changes, raising ethical questions about their appropriate use.
Gene editing for livestock welfare improvement offers genuine opportunities to address structural welfare problems at their genetic root. Editing cattle for natural hornlessness eliminates the welfare harm of dehorning millions of animals. Disease resistance editing could prevent chronic welfare harm from diseases like PRRS in pigs. The welfare case for targeted gene editing that prevents suffering is strong and distinct from concerns about gene editing for production traits. Appropriate governance frameworks that evaluate welfare impact — both intended improvements and potential unintended consequences — are essential for responsible deployment of this technology.