Risks Associated with GM Farm Animals
The genetic engineering of food animals entails certain risks. It is possible, for example, that the expression of novel proteins could cause allergic reactions in susceptible people. The likelihood that a foreign protein is allergenic depends on the particular gene product, the food in which it appears, and the individuals who consume it.
As part of the regulatory process, it is therefore essential to test that meat, milk, or other food products derived from transgenic farm animals are not substantially different from those produced by standard methods. There are also concerns that the mass-breeding and potential escape of transgenic animals could pose long-term risks to the environment.15
Another problem is a lack of transparency. Although researchers appear to be looking into many different aspects of transgenic livestock, biotech companies are not required to disclose these activities. All that is known about such research and development activities comes from published academic papers and what companies have chosen voluntarily to disclose.