Gene technologies provide ways to change genes and the genome. SPCA is concerned that the pursuit of genetic technologies comes at the expense of the welfare of animals used to create and maintain genetically modified material.

SPCA advocates for humans to first modify our management systems and practices to ensure animals have a Good Life, and experience positive welfare, and their physical, health, and behavioural needs are met before resorting to the use of genetic technologies that lead to uncertain or demonstrated welfare compromise. For example, SPCA advocates for farming practices that avoid the need for painful husbandry procedures by providing sufficient living space and appropriately enriched environments. Rather than physically altering animals to fit a poor farm environment, our organisation supports farms that provide better management, care, and nutrition to ensure that the farm environment provides for the welfare needs of the animals.

SPCA opposes the use of genetic technologies without consideration of the welfare impact on the genetically edited animals or animals involved in their production. SPCA is concerned that the application of genetic technologies may have unintended welfare consequences for animals.

Animals used in the production of genetically modified material are subjected to invasive procedures. Genetic technologies require large numbers of animals to create and maintain new animal models. All proposed genetic technologies involving animals should undergo robust evaluation of the impact on animal welfare and ethical aspects before implementation.

SPCA recommends robust long-time evaluation of the welfare impacts of genetically modifying research animals before introducing technologies or genetically modified material into commercial sectors. Unintended negative welfare impacts may occur in the use of genetic technologies to improve animal welfare. For example, the introduction of genes into cows to create naturally polled dairy cattle (i.e. cows that will not grow horns, and thus not undergo painful horn removal procedures) unintentionally introduced genes for antibiotic resistance.

SPCA is concerned about the lack of ethical oversight of the welfare impacts of genetic technologies on animals not considered animals under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, such as zebrafish in their larval stage.

SPCA is concerned that some genetic technologies could be used to perpetuate environmental conditions and husbandry practices that result in poor animal welfare. For example, the modification of farmed animals for increased growth rate and disease resistance, may lead to the intensification of farming and have an overall negative impact on animal welfare.

SPCA advocates that the use of genetic technologies that involve manipulations with animals should only occur where there is social license and public support.

SPCA supports increased transparency on the use of animals in genetic technologies including public reporting of the welfare impacts such as adverse phenotypes of genetically modified animals.