14 November 2000
 RSPCA Welcomes New GM Statement |
The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
(RSPCA)
has welcomed an announcement from a new government body that one of
its first tasks will be to investigate the soaring number of animals used for
experiments involving genetic modification.
Responding to a letter from the RSPCA, Professor Malcolm Grant, chairman of the newly established Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission, (AEBC) said that the welfare of animals used in biotechnologies would be a priority for the commission. Dr. Vicky Robinson from the RSPCA's research animals department said: "This is great news, the Society's research and farm animals departments will be able to use this opportunity to continue to voice very serious concerns about the harm that may be caused to animals as a result of biotechnologies such as genetic engineering and cloning." The RSPCA recently participated in a consultation on genetically modified animals carried out by the Animal Procedures Committee (APC), the body that advises the government on the use of animals in scientific research and testing. According to Professor Ray Baker, Chief Executive of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, (BBSRC), a major funder of basic animal sciences research including GM and cloning technologies: 'Concerns about potential welfare problems of genetically modified livestock, attributed to members of the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission are already being addressed by UK scientists.' He said: "BBSRC welcomes the idea of a constructive public debate about the potential applications of modern animal biotechnology. We will be pleased to play a full part in such discussions and consultation, indeed we are already trying to raise public awareness about the issues." 2.6 million animals were used in experiments in the UK last year. This article may be reproduced with permission of the author and correct attribution to the source. |