Governing the moral economy: Animal engineering, ethics and the liberal government of science

► We study UK policy debates on animal engineering: genetic modification and creation of interspecies embryos. ► We suggest that ethical issues in animal engineering are configured as part of a regulatory domain we term a 'moral economy'. ► We show how the moral economy is made governable through neo-liberal practices that ensure support of science is maintained. ► We argue that this is not a failure of contemporary modes of science governance to enhance democracy. ► Rather, it demonstrates the success of liberal modes of government in adapting to meet new governance challenges.