Is this ethical?

[Zippy]

Scientists are (apparently) discussing deactivating the genes that code for pain receptors in meat animals.

Painfree animals could take suffering out of farming

If true this is really sick. Scientists still learn and debate about ethics don't they?

[OwlHoot]

Scientists are (apparently) discussing deactivating the genes that code for pain receptors in meat animals.

Painfree animals could take suffering out of farming

If true this is really sick. Scientists still learn and debate about ethics don't they?

In fairness, it isn't a bunch if scientists discussing this but one philosopher, according to that article.

I'm sure the proposal wouldn't be practical and would have too many undesirable side effects. But it sounds almost more like a "devil's advocate" kind of dispassionate discussion, which philosophers are right to conduct on any subject without feeling obliged leave anything distasteful off limits.

[cojak]

But it sounds almost more like a "devil's advocate" kind of dispassionate discussion, which philosophers are right to conduct on any subject without feeling obliged leave anything distasteful off limits.

Yep - that's philosophers for you - 'tis part of the job description...

[d000hg]

Scientists discussing what's possible is not the same as proposing "hey lets do this in livestock". Investigation in this area could lead to advances in pain relief for terminally ill human patients for instance.

[Zippy]

I understand what you are all saying. I really don't like the way this kind of thinking gets reported in the media though.

The article goes on to tie in research on pain in mice (always the mice) to its application in livestock breeding (although this isn't why the research is being carried out)

[RSoles]

Not sure if it's practical, never mind ethical.
Pain is there for a purpose.
Stops cattle eating themselves/each other, going for a dust-bath in broken glass or standing in fires wondering what the funny burning smell is.

Of course the solution to this 'side effect' would be to factory-farm them in plastic bags a la 'Matrix' or 'Blade'.

[d000hg]

Not sure if it's practical, never mind ethical.
Pain is there for a purpose.
Stops cattle eating themselves/each other, going for a dust-bath in broken glass or standing in fires wondering what the funny burning smell is.

If they were actually to do it, a reason might be that animals subjected to a lot of stress can (it's claimed) produce poorer quality meat due to the chemicals swilling round their system.

On the ethical question... is it worse to battery farm an animal in painful conditions, or in the same conditions but unable to feel the pain?

[Zippy]

If they were actually to do it, a reason might be that animals subjected to a lot of stress can (it's claimed) produce poorer quality meat due to the chemicals swilling round their system.

On the ethical question... is it worse to battery farm an animal in painful conditions, or in the same conditions but unable to feel the pain?

No it is ethical to remove the conditions that induce the constant pain. I know that sounds bloody smug but I'm really not comfortable with engineering creatures for our convenience.

[Cliphead]

No it is ethical to remove the conditions that induce the constant pain. I know that sounds bloody smug but I'm really not comfortable with engineering creatures for our convenience.

Dogs have been genetically tampered with for centuries for our convenience.

[Zippy]

Dogs have been genetically tampered with for centuries for our convenience.

Selectively bred, not genetically engineered. I accept that doesn't make some of the 'modern' breeds acceptable.