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Cloned animals are 'safe to eat' Cloned animals are 'safe to eat'
(40 minutes later)
Meat and milk from cloned animals is generally safe to eat, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared.Meat and milk from cloned animals is generally safe to eat, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared.
Following six years of study, it ruled that food from cloned pigs, cattle and goats and their offspring is as safe as food from conventionally-bred animals.Following six years of study, it ruled that food from cloned pigs, cattle and goats and their offspring is as safe as food from conventionally-bred animals.
Lack of data meant the agency could not reach a decision on sheep products.Lack of data meant the agency could not reach a decision on sheep products.
The FDA does not expect to see a lot of products from cloned animals being sold, because of cost. It says clones would be used mainly for breeding.The FDA does not expect to see a lot of products from cloned animals being sold, because of cost. It says clones would be used mainly for breeding.
The agency released almost identical draft conclusions in December 2006. Since then, new scientific information has strengthened its central view.The agency released almost identical draft conclusions in December 2006. Since then, new scientific information has strengthened its central view.
"After reviewing additional data and the public comments in the intervening year since the release of our draft documents on cloning, we conclude that meat and milk from cattle, swine, and goat clones are as safe as the food we eat every day," said Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Just because something was created in a lab, doesn't mean we should have to eat it Senator Barbara Mikulski "After reviewing additional data and the public comments in the intervening year since the release of our draft documents on cloning, we conclude that meat and milk from cattle, swine, and goat clones are as safe as the food we eat every day," said Stephen Sundlof, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
The finding also confirms the conclusions of an investigation released in 2002 by the US National Academy of Sciences.The finding also confirms the conclusions of an investigation released in 2002 by the US National Academy of Sciences.
The FDA will not require food from cloned animals to be labelled as such.The FDA will not require food from cloned animals to be labelled as such.
Low confidence
The agency was criticised by activist groups and by US politicians who were not convinced that enough scientific data was available to justify a decision.
"The FDA has acted recklessly, and I am profoundly disappointed in their rush to approve cloned foods," said Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski, co-sponsor of a bill amendment passed by the US Senate which asked the FDA not to rule until further research was available.
"Just because something was created in a lab, doesn't mean we should have to eat it."
Some US food companies have indicated they would not stock products derived from cloned animals.
A survey in 2005 by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that two-thirds of US consumers were "uncomfortable" with animal cloning; nearly half believed food from clones would be unsafe to eat.