Is it ethical to raise fainting goats? (or any animal bred specifically to promote a defect)?

Question

Fainting goats have a genetic condition called Myotonia that causes their muscles to stiffen to the point where they can't move when they are startled or excited, and therefore they fall over and look like they have fainted (they do not actually lose consiousness). People that raise them say that it doesn't hurt them. Another example would be the Munchkin and Polydactyl cats. People pay big bucks for animals with these defects. In your opinion is it ethical?

Theresa A - myotonia congenita is a neuromuscular disorder, not a breed. It occasionally occurs in ALL breeds of goats (and it also occurs in PEOPLE). People take goats with myotonia congenita and specifically breed them together to perpetuate the disorder. Birth defects unfortunately do not "die out".

Anybody can breed any animal for any defect or mutation, set up a registry, and call it a new "breed". It happens all the time, but in this case the "breed" is based on something that causes obvious discomfort and distress to the animal. I personally can not call it a legitimate breed when an animal is purposely bred to have a neurological defect and must have that defect to be considered for registration. I am very well aware of the history of fainting goats and the fainting goat registries, and how the registered fainters were descended from 3 goats. However it DOES occur in any breed of goat. Any goat that has myotonia DOES HAVE myotonia whether it can be a registered fainter or not, no matter what breed it is. Google "myotonia congenita" and learn about it. It is a DISORDER, and I'm certain you wouldn't want your children afflicted with it.

Answer 1

I would say that it's not. Those anamils who are affected by these conditions definitely deserve to be loved and cared for, but to try to produce these unhealthy traits is quite unkind in the long run. Not only do many of these traits really hurt the animals, but many of the people who buy them do so on a whime becase they want something unusual and exotic to show off to others. The animals are often not well cared for and it's sad that people breed them knowing that their lives are probably not going to be good.

Another example of these animals are the "dancing" rats. I forget if that's exactly their name or not, but their brains seem physicaly incapable of letting them walk in a straight line and this confuses them greatly every time they try to get somewhere, like their water bottle.

Answer 2

The difference would be that 'fainting' goats could potentially be harmed. Falling down doesn't feel good, and I'm sure that the goat can feel every ounce of pain caused by this 'fainting'.

As far as Munchkin cats - there is no more harm in correctly and responsibly breeding them than there is in correctly and responsibily breeding for long hair. I think they are stupid looking, but as long as the 'short legs' defect isn't linked to any other genetic defect, or cause them any pain, it's fine.

Katie is wrong that Polydactlyism is now only created via inbreeding. Basically, all breed attributes were created via inbreeding at sometime in the past. Now, it's a genetic mutation that allows for additional toes. Breed a polydactyl cat with a regular cat and some of the kittens will be polydactyl. Again, responsibly breeding them to specifically get this defect, is no different than breeding a Sphynx cat or a manx. http://www.hemingwayhome.com/HTML/our_cats.htm

Answer 3

Every domestic animal that you see is a defect. White ducks? Not in nature. Geese with powder puff crests? Again, not natural. Ever seen a wild chihuahua???

Myotonia is a natural defensive mechanism, much like a possum playing dead. In point of fact, no one knows where the fainting goat originated from, but it was propogated for a reason.

The fainting goat was the sacrificial lamb of sorts. A fainting goat or two would be put in with a herd of sheep, cattle, or other goats. When a herd was threatened, the fainting goat would freeze, the predator would eat the fainting goat, and the rest of the herd could move to safety. Not nice, but since predators can lethally injure many animals in an effort to kill just one, it was a necessary evil.

Now, since the fainting goat was a legitimate breed, are you suggesting we let the breed die out, rather than sustaining it in a more kind and friendly environment??

EDIT: Yes, the fainting goat, otherwise known as the Tennessee fainting goat or stiff legged goat is an actual breed. It's a small class breed which has been in existence (verifiably) since the 1800s when a man brought them over from Novia Scotia (theoretically, as we don't really know the true story of their origins).

You cannot call just ANY goat that has myotonia a fainting goat. In fact, the fainting goat is distinguished by it's facial characteristics and body type. By calling just any myotonic goat a "Fainting goat" the breed is diluted and important breed characteristics are lost.

I happen to own a farm, and I do have two Lovely fainting/pygmy crosses. They don't fall, as they are a cross breed (Yes, I felt bad for the falling down goats and thought my kids might not be able to resist the occasional "BOO", but I fully plan to get a pair of fainters in the future). My goats freeze when startled, if they feel like it.

The furthering of the myth that any goat that faints is a "fainting goat" just damages a true breed. I've included links about the breed, and I hope you read at least the first link. These really are fabulous animals, and don't deserve to die out just because of misconceptions by the general public.

Answer 4

No. I believe it is unethical to raise animals for the sake of a defect. Watching fainting goats (I've seen them on TV) makes me sick. They cry out when they fall down and are in obvious distress - they are locked up in a full-body muscle cramp- of course they're in pain, and anyone who says otherwise is lying. Goats are as intelligent as dogs. What makes the people who perpetuate this misery think it's OK is a mystery to me.

Answer 5

Humans are always doing some unethical thing with animals in mind. I can't stand hearing about it. I love animals but people just make me sick.polydactyl cats are bred by inbreding is that unethical, yes, of course all of these genetically bred poor animals are unethically bred only for the amusement for our needs not theirs.

Answer 6

I think it is horribly selfish, but humans in general tend to be wretchedly selfish creatures.

Answer 7

I don't think that there is anything wrong with breeding them, I would just be worried if a predator was after them, they are a really easy kill.