Abstract
There are strong biases when it comes to issues revolving around genetic engineering and animal welfare. Published by the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW), this text represents a compilation of chapters derived from proceedings of various conferences held in the mid-1990s. The editors do an admirable job defining concerns evident in 1995, but advances emerging over the last few years beg for follow-up. Correspondingly, many of the introductions, overviews, and citations should have been updated beyond 1996. In such a manner, a greater perspective of current issues and technological hurdles could be gained.
The first of three sections deals with definitions and institutional oversight. Unfortunately, some of the definitions were poorly chosen and provide a reader with a false sense of the technologies at hand. The second section includes four chapters encompassing a 1996 Conference and Panel on Xenotransplantation, and the final section is composed of four chapters associated with a 1995 Ethics/Genetics Workshop.
For the student or layperson, this book does outline some key concerns and highlights representative examples of technologies. The targeted audience appears to be USA based; many “federal” guidelines and regulations would be obscure or immaterial for a more global audience. Regrettably, with occasionally simplistic and redundant introductions, this text is not geared toward individuals well versed in animal biotechnology or laboratory animal medicine.
I would have appreciated far greater depth and insight into issues ranging from procedural methodologies to inherent ethical and moral obligations. Many generalizations, including identification of selected clinical problems in genetically modified animals, were inflammatory and of little relevance without greater context. A criticism of inefficient methodologies employed prior to 1992 is rendered moot by technologies now in use.
The purpose of SCAW and ostensibly this text is to provide “an objective, credible basis for the exchange of information—primarily for the research community—on responsible and appropriate care and use of animals in research, testing and training.” Heightening awareness is indeed a laudable goal. Yet, it was most unfortunate that this text took so long to go to press. On the whole, it should be viewed as a brief introduction to issues, to be followed by more in-depth reflection on current technology and research innovation.