Should We Enhance Animals?

Overview

Journal J Med Ethics

Publisher BMJ Publishing Group

Specialty Medical Ethics

Date 2009 Nov 3

PMID 19880704

Citations 2

Authors

S Chan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Much bioethical discussion has been devoted to the subject of human enhancement through various technological means such as genetic modification. Although many of the same technologies could be, indeed in many cases already have been, applied to non-human animals, there has been very little consideration of the concept of "animal enhancement", at least not in those specific terms. This paper addresses the notion of animal enhancement and the ethical issues surrounding it. A definition of animal enhancement is proposed that provides a framework within which to consider these issues; and it is argued that if human enhancement can be considered to be a moral obligation, so too can animal enhancement.

Citing Articles

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Does a fish need a bicycle? Animals and evolution in the age of biotechnology.

Chan S, Harris J Camb Q Healthc Ethics. 2011; 20(3):484-92.

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