Within social science analyses of genomics the field of animal genomics remains an under researched area. In an anthropocentric sense the field intersects with the substantial domains of food, health and environment, as well as their related economic, social and ethical elaborations. Moreover, animals are being given a resurgent role in the emergent cast of the 'bio-economy', as new sources of bio-capital. Beyond this animals are ethically and socially significant in their own right, having an important place in the social life of many people. Research that involves collaboration and dialogue between social scientists and animal genomics scientists is rarer still. Here I present results from semi-structured interviews with scientists working in the agricultural context of animal genomics. These include geneticists, molecular biologists and animal welfare scientists. The focus is to allow scientists in these fields to speak for themselves about the ethical, social and economic aspects of exploiting genomics knowledge for the enhancement of agricultural animals. How are such issues articulated? Is there a consensus between animal scientists when it comes to applying genomic knowledge? To what extent is a boundary placed around animal genomics vis-a-vis other technologies such as genetic modification and transgenics? The discourses articulated therein are examined for modes of framing the social and ethical relevance of their own work as well as for intimations of future impacts upon human/animal relations.
