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Cloned Animals Deemed Safe To Eat By FDA

The Food and Drug Administration released a report this week indicating that food products from cloned animals (such as meat and milk) are safe to eat. While the announcement gives a governmental “go ahead” many food producers say they will think carefully before embracing the controversial technology and gauge consumer reactions to the possibility of eating foods from cloned animals.

“USDA (the U.S. Department of Agriculture) fully supports and agrees with the FDA assessment,” said Bruce Knight, Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs for the USDA.  “Meat and milk from cloned cattle, swine and goats and their offspring pose no safety concern and these products are no different from food from conventionally bred animals.”  Knight also noted that there only about 600 animal clones in the United States so very few clones will ever make it to the marketplace. 

“We appreciate the FDA’s careful review of the science surrounding cloning,” said James Hodges, president of the American Meat Institute. “Clearly, however, the cloning of animals is a new technology and our members will evaluate it, as well as consumer attitudes, very carefully. The meat industry has a history of analyzing the science surrounding technology and striving to meet consumer demand regarding our products.”

Food producers had voluntarily withheld cloned animals from the market pending the FDA’s decision, which is basically an advisory opinion. A 2006 survey by the Center for Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy at the University of Maryland found that one-third of adults said they would not consumer milk or meat from cloned animals, even if the FDA said it was safe.

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