Work

Is ignorance bliss? Milk from gene-edited cows and animal welfare considerations

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Dairy cows who excel at milk production also grow horns, which are dangerous to other animals and their human handlers. Recent developments in gene editing make it possible to edit a cow’s genome so that it does not grow horns. We assess from the consumer’s perspective whether the improvements in animal welfare resulting from gene-edited cows outweigh the perceived risks individuals associate with milk from these animals. We find that milk from gene-edited cows and milk from dehorned cows have lower willingness to pay relative to milk that comes from cows without mention of dehorning or gene editing.

Source: Agricultural and Resource Economics Review

DOI: 10.1017/age.2025.14

Authors: Jill J. McCluskey, R. Karina Gallardo, Xueying Ma

Institution: Washington State University

Language: English

Topic: Genetically Modified Organisms Research

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,600