FDA Decision on Cloned Farm Animal Products Draws Fire |
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December 28, 2006
By Loren Drummond
On Dec. 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration moved one step closer to approving the commercial sale of meat and milk from cloned animals and their offspring. The move, which disregarded unresolved concerns about animal welfare, ethics and food safety, drew harsh criticism from both The HSUS and consumer protection organizations.
In October, The HSUS, along with The Center for Food Safety and other organizations, had filed a legal petition with the FDA calling for a moratorium on the introduction of food products from cloned animals.
A Host of Problems Plague Animals in Cloning Research
Recent cloning research has resulted in high failure rates, and many farm animals used in the studies have suffered a long list of health problems, including abnormalities such as deformed feet, weakened immune systems, dysfunctional organs and premature death.
Surrogate mothers used in cloning research can also suffer reduced welfare from fetal overgrowth, repeated surgeries and injections, and pregnancy complications that have resulted in death.
The newly-published FDA risk assessment itself notes that both the cloned baby animals and their surrogate mothers are more likely to suffer health problems.
No Regulations Protect Farm Animals in Cloning Research
In the United States, there are currently no regulations to protect the welfare of farm animals during cloning or genetic engineering agricultural research, despite members of the FDA's Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee having raised concerns in recent years about the level of animal suffering potentially caused by cloning.
"The welfare of billions of farm animals is already abysmal thanks in part to traditional genetic selection for production traits at the expense of the animals' health and welfare. Using biotechnology to stress animals even further is adding insult to injury," said Michael Greger, M.D., HSUS director of public health and animal agriculture.
Public Opposes Animal Cloning
The FDA's preliminary approval of milk and meat from cloned animals means that the FDA may not require labeling on cloned animal products sold commercially.
That may worry consumers, a majority of whom reported discomfort with animal cloning in public opinion polls in the last several years. A 2006 poll conducted by the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology found that 64% of U.S. consumers are largely uncomfortable with animal cloning in general.
"American consumers are increasingly concerned about the treatment of animals raised and slaughtered for food," said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO. "Numerous studies have shown that animals in cloning research can and do suffer. The HSUS is committed to scientific advancement, but only that which has a legitimate social value and improves—not decreases—animal welfare, two critical components lacking in the case of developing commercial cloning of farm animals."
Related Links
An HSUS Report: Welfare Issues with Genetic Engineering and Cloning of Farm Animals
