Israel: Gene-Edited Hens Only Lay Female Eggs

Facts

• On Tuesday, researchers at the Israeli Agricultural Research Organization led by Dr. Yuval Cinnamon announced the development of genetically engineered hens that lay eggs that only hatch females — an advancement that scientists say may prevent the suffering of unwanted male chicks in the future.¹
• The scientists genetically engineered the hens' — who carry Z and W chromosomes — Z chromosome. The eggs laid by the hens, called "Golda hens," are then exposed to blue light — activating the edited DNA. When exposed, the males — made up of two Z chromosomes — stop developing, while the female eggs continue on as normal.²
• This is significant for both economic and moral reasons. Male chicks cost more to care for than they would ever sell for as meat, and as a result, they're often culled.¹
• The Golda hen’s female eggs that hatch will lay table eggs. These females aren't genetically modified as they inherit the unedited W chromosome from the mother and the untouched Z chromosome from the father.¹
• The team — which has yet to publish the research as it plans to license the science — reportedly worked in tandem with UK-based animal welfare company Compassion in World Farming.²

Sources: ¹The Times of Israel and ²BBC News.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by The JC. As a result of the human cultivation of chickens and eggs, a stomach-turning seven billion male chicks are killed each year because they hold no commercial value. If genetically-engineered hens help prevent unnecessary loss of life and boost egg production, then it's the right route to take.
• Narrative B, as provided by The Collector. The process of genetic engineering is a moral double-edged sword. The opportunity to end the slaughter of innocent animals is undoubtedly a good thing. However, editing the genetic code of a living being is unnatural and could have unforeseen consequences.