Ethical and Legal Issues
As the procedures of embryo transfer advance, ethical issues arise. Embryo transfer is a fully legal procedure that many people are upset about and feel is just too “unnatural.” Out of the two kinds of transfer, surgical and non-surgical, surgical has a higher rate of conception but is looked down upon. There is no proof that this technique harms or endangers any animals but certain people think that it is unfair and cruel to use it on livestock.
One of the main ethical arguments is about money. If farmers did not use embryo transfer, less livestock would be produced and the price of meat and other animal products would rise. On the other hand, because the procedure is cheap and efficient, the livestock population can grow more rapidly and prices for products can remain as they are.
When dealing with cells, tissues, living organisms and other biological materials, property and ownership is given to anyone who purchases an embryo. The embryo itself can be donated or bought from the owner of the desired animal, and is then taken, frozen, and sold to anyone who is interested.
Both current ethical norms and legal practices are sufficient enough to address potential issues in embryo transfers. This technique is considered both legal and cost effective, not much is in the way of this product becoming increasingly popular.
Embryo transfer is a global technique. It can be found in most populated countries because it is legal, easy to obtain, cheap, and reliable. The policies and regulations are not enforced because there are not many; there is nothing that says embryo transfer is not allowed. As long as the livestock are taken care of and are in good condition, nothing is considered illegal.
Financial advantages and disadvantages of the procedure exist, as well as genetic and scientific gains. As technology advances, embryo transfer is likely to impact the agriculture industry with greater force.
