Genetic modification and gene editing technologies are being applied to livestock for production and disease resistance goals, with complex welfare implications for modified animals.
Agricultural biotechnology welfare involves both the animals modified and the animals that would benefit from modification. Gene edits intended to improve welfare — such as hornless cattle or disease-resistant pigs — may achieve their goal but also risk unintended physiological consequences that require careful welfare monitoring. The regulatory framework for genetically modified animals must include welfare assessment alongside environmental and food safety review. Gene drives that could eliminate populations of disease-vector insects raise the most extreme welfare questions, involving potentially billions of individuals while preventing human and animal disease.