I have fundamental objections to the use / deployment of GM animals for several reasons, including:

Animals are highly mobile and would provide possibly the most efficient means of dispersing GM materials. GM fish, for example, once released could spread rapidly in an uncontrolled way and certainly could not be recovered or easily eradicated. I believe, therefore, that it is not, and never will be, possible to adequately control the dispersion of GM animals and materials within the environment. The effects of dispersal of GM organisms cannot be predicted or reversed.

The spread of GM materials by amimals and, possibly to a lesser extent, as a result of the release of GM crops, has a potential consequence that I find particulary objectionable; that is the destruction and loss of the few remaining areas of wilderness - areas unaffected by man and his influences.

Another reason for my objection to the development of GM animals stems from what is hopefully only a remote possibility that GM animals might be developed and tailored specifically for use in warfare. This is a particularly abhorent possibility but there are many former incidents of the use of animals during combat, consistent with Man's propensity to employ any technologies at his disposal during times of war, however, damaging or distasteful those technologies may be (e.g. , nuclear weapons, chemical and biological weapons). In addition, I do not belive that any reliance can be placed on standard means of regulation during times of war.

Background:

Dr David Bennett is an Environmental Consultant specialising in the regulation of radioactive waste disposal.