Animal welfare and morality of the use of cloned animals

Abstract

Cloned animals are used in a wide range of species and in many contexts, such as agriculture, pharmaceutical production and animal research. Owing to their many benefits to humans, we can expect that the use of cloned animals will increase. Nevertheless, there is little focus on the ethical problems that are specific to the use of cloned animals among researchers and animal welfare bodies, as well as a lack of engagement with the general public on the subject. Most animal welfare problems that are specific for cloned animals may be ameliorated with improved husbandry methods. However, the discussion of the morality of using cloned animals will remain. This article gives examples of the ethical and welfare problems that are specific for the use of cloned animals compared to the use of conventional farm or research animals, and furthermore discusses the disconnect in the scientific community on their views on the use of cloned animals compared to the views in the general public