University of California researchers says protecting animals that enter the human food supply should require agnostic governance of technologies that affect animal science, especially regarding genetics, nutrition and health.
Meatingplace reports that the researchers say lowering animal susceptibility to infectious diseases is an important goal in light of the growing global demand for animal protein and the fact that more than 20 percent of animal protein is lost as a result of disease.
The group of researchers said diseases targeted by use of genetically modified organisms are subject to a “unique set of governance and regulatory requirements” that might be based on arbitrary standards.
The researchers contend that current rules under the Cartagena Protocol focus too much on the potential risk developing the organisms, rather focusing on than the potential for positive outcomes regarding animal health.
