Harming Some to Enhance Others

Generally speaking, we modify animals’ genomes to give their progeny traits that will indirectly improve human life. So-called intentional genetic ‘enhancements’ of animals, then, usually make the target animals worse-off. What rules should govern animal experimentation in which we harm some directly to enhance others indirectly? I criticize the abolitionist conclusions of animal rightists that all animal enhancements should be banned, and I criticize the permissive conclusions of speciesists that all such procedures should be allowed. I argue that current animal welfare law provides a defensible platform on which to begin building ethically justifiable policy in this area.