This year has the potential to be a controversial one; there
is already one controversy that has been following me everywhere. In December
2007, CR4 ran an Engineering News story called "Senate
Votes to Keep Cloned Meat Out of Your Burger, for Now". Less than a month
later, that same topic is reborn. Last Tuesday, the United States Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) announced that meat and milk from cloned cattle, swine, goats,
and the offspring of these clones are safe to eat. In fact, the FDA claims that
cloned meat is as safe as the meat from non-cloned animals.
The FDA is now accepting feedback from the public pending
final approval, which will not be done for a few months. After only a week, the
public has made some of its thoughts known - half of the comments regarding
labeling. Since the FDA believes that cloned meat and milk are as safe as other
foods, opponents of labeling do not feel that it will be necessary to label it
as "cloned".
Cloning companies are against labeling because it would
allow consumers to bypass their products. Their argument is that current labels
do not tell how the animal was conceived. Further, they claim that the FDA
mandates that risky products are labeled accordingly. Since the agency claims
that cloned meat and milk are just as safe as non-cloned products, cloned foods
shouldn't have to be labeled. According to Barb Glenn of the Biotechnology
Industry Organization, ""It's not a genetically engineered animal; no
genes have been changed or moved or deleted. It's simply a genetic twin that we
can then use for future matings to improve the overall health and well-being of
the herd."
At the other end of the spectrum, many Americans do not
share this belief. Advocates for distinctive labels claim that the FDA has not
paid enough attention to food safety. The Consumer Federation of America stated
that cloning research shows that cloning results in more animal deaths and
deformation that any other type of reproduction. The organization will be
asking food companies and supermarkets to boycott cloned products. Carol Tucker
Foreman, director of the consumer federation, claims that meat and milk from
cloned animals provides no benefit for consumers, and that Americans don't want
them in their food anyway.
Concern regarding the American economy has emerged. Food
processors are concerned that consumers will buy less meat and dairy if they're
not sure of the safety of the product. Specifically, companies like Hormel
Foods and Dean Foods Co. have said that they do not plan on selling meat from
cloned animals because of consumer anxiety. Economically, it is not feasible
for cloned meat and milk to be found in supermarkets anytime soon. Cloned
animals are a lot more expensive than ordinary animals and range from $10,000
to $20,000 (USD). When these products are available, they will most likely to
be from the offspring of the clones - not the clones themselves
It's hard to say whether or not Americans will come around
to this idea. The topic is definitely hot right now, and I can't seem to escape
it.
What do you think?
- Are cloned meat and milk products safe?
- Would you prefer cloned products to be labeled?
Resources:
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/cloning.htm
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01776.html
http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/4333/Senate-Votes-to-Keep-Cloned-Meat-Out-of-Your-Burger-for-Now
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/28/health/main2306372.shtml
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/19/AR2008011902233.html
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/01/15/fda.cloning/index.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/15/tech/main3715727.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3715727
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/01/fda-dont-ask-do.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/94074.php
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Re: How Now Cloned Cow
