Pets could be gene-edited under new English law, says RSPCA

Exaggerated features on pets are popular but can cause pain and suffering, the RSPCA says. Photograph: Jacob King/PA

Pets could be subjected to gene editing under a new government act, the RSPCA has warned.

The animal charity has said that the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act applies to all vertebrate animals, not only farmed animals, and that it could lead to cats and dogs being gene-edited to include extreme features.