Question

A research team proposes using a new gene-editing technique to create livestock that grow faster, require less food, and are resistant to certain diseases. Before approving the project, a review board must gather information from economists, veterinarians, environmental scientists, and consumer advocacy groups.



Which question would BEST help the board evaluate the broader ethical implications of using this biotechnology?



A.
How much will the new livestock traits increase farm productivity each year?

B.
What other species have been successfully edited with this same technique?

C.
How might new livestock impact animal welfare and long-term ecosystem balance?

D.
What specific DNA sequence is changed during the editing process and what are the impacts of this?

Answer 1

C

This question addresses the broader ethical concerns (animal welfare, ecological risks and long-term balance) that affect multiple stakeholders and go beyond narrow technical or economic metrics. Options A and D focus on productivity and molecular details (important but not sufficient for broader ethics), and B is mainly technical precedent rather than ethical impact.