are transgenic plants containing animal genes suitable for vegetarians?
“We oppose the introduction of animal genes into plant foods,” declares a pledge adopted at the 33rd World Vegetarian Congress. “When animal genes are inserted in bioengineered foods, these plant foods are no longer truly vegetarian,” argues an article in the Vegetarian Advocate. It is easy to see how committed vegetarians, concerned as they are with animal welfare, might be worried about the effects of genetic engineering on the health and well-being of animals. But it is far from clear why vegetarians would object to inserting animal genes into plants. Ethical vegetarians want to prevent animal suffering. But genes have no feelings, no capacity to suffer, no desires of any kind.
