Bioethics group calls for policy review on gene-edited animals

Policymakers urged to consider welfare and sustainability, not just food safety, in overhaul of regulations

The UK government should conduct a “full policy review” of genetic techniques for breeding farm animals before relaxing existing regulations, according to an influential bioethics body.

In September, the government announced plans to overhaul regulations for animals bred using gene editing—molecular techniques that allow researchers to make precise changes to the DNA of organisms.