Genetically Modified Food Animals
A wide range of genetically modified (GM) animals are being developed to serve varied purposes and applications in therapeutics, medical research, xenotransplantation, and human consumption, among others. Transgenics has not only improved the well being of livestock by making them more disease resistant but has also reduced the environmental footprint and enhanced the quality of milk and meat produced from such animals. Equipped with technological advances, this field is set to become the answer to many confounding problems of the future. Though there have been concerted efforts in the generation of GM animals, acceptance and commercial success has not reflected the same enthusiasm. This chapter focuses on the overall aspects of GM organisms: their advent, various approaches used to generate them, their applications, and regulation through globally regulating agencies.