Whatever a person’s views on biotechnology and agriculture, the folks at Genome Alberta deserve a pat on the back for discussing those very issues with the public over the last few weeks.
Since late April, they’ve organized workshops across Alberta examining the issues around using genomics in livestock production. Livestock genomics pinpoints biomarkers to speed genetic selection, but does not involve inserting new genes into an animal’s DNA.
Genomics offers many benefits, such as the potential to select more feed efficient beef animals, or breed pigs that resist or tolerate certain diseases. But the technology also poses some ethical issues. The Western Producer’s editorial team recently pondered whether productivity, food safety, animal health and animal welfare are, at times, in conflict with each other in breeding programs.