FDA ruling on cloned meat

One Story, Three Ways: The FDA's Ruling on Cloned Meat

January 16, 2008

Yesterday the FDA backed up its 4-year-old decision confirming that meat from cloned animals is safe for human consumption. That's the nugget, (cloned chicken or otherwise . . .) now here's how the media served up the story:

NPR asks the compelling question: Will eating it turn us into mutated creatures?

FOX News takes the cake with this typo-tastic proclamation.

Wired magazine's blog puts its tongue in its cheek and goes ironic.

Whatever flavor the story, are you thinking about ordering up some cloned meat?

39 Comments

pargie 5 years 17 weeks

That is disturbing. I don't trust the FDA at all. I'm sure we won't turn into mutants, but that doesn't sound too healthy.

nancita 5 years 17 weeks

Wow, that Fox News headline is priceless. I think it's frightening that the FDA is okaying this without really knowing anything. I get the impression that the agency really has no idea if cloned meat is safe, and I feel like we need a lot more research to find out.

rlveronica 5 years 17 weeks

I don't think we're going to be eating cloned meat any time soon because they probably want to breed the animals that they've cloned before chopping them up!

peepshow 5 years 17 weeks

Is there a beef/cattle shortage I missed?I could understand if there were a shortage or something, but what's wrong with the original cows we've got? Let's eat them!

peepshow 5 years 17 weeks

Is there a beef/cattle shortage I missed? I could understand if there were a shortage or something, but what's wrong with the original cows we've got? Let's eat them!

gigi_s 5 years 17 weeks

Truly disturbing.

gigi_s 5 years 17 weeks

Truly disturbing.

brown_eyed_grrl 5 years 17 weeks

I think the industries are crap. Factory farming is disgusting--both in how the unfortunate animals live their miserable lives, and in the crap injected into them and that they are fed (which affects the consumer). Here's is just another think we're doing to screw with the natural order and injest God knows what (because there have been no ong-term studies). I only eat fish--and only wild at that--but I have no problem with people eating meat. I just think those animals should get to live a decent life on a farm (or in the wild) first, both for the animal and the consumer. Why not eat less meat, but higher quality? That's what I plan to do if I ever return to eating anything more than fish. You can ignore where your food comes from, but it's your health on the line.

brown_eyed_grrl 5 years 17 weeks

I think the industries are crap. Factory farming is disgusting--both in how the unfortunate animals live their miserable lives, and in the crap injected into them and that they are fed (which affects the consumer). Here's is just another think we're doing to screw with the natural order and injest God knows what (because there have been no ong-term studies).I only eat fish--and only wild at that--but I have no problem with people eating meat. I just think those animals should get to live a decent life on a farm (or in the wild) first, both for the animal and the consumer. Why not eat less meat, but higher quality? That's what I plan to do if I ever return to eating anything more than fish. You can ignore where your food comes from, but it's your health on the line.

gigill 5 years 17 weeks

Hmmm...I wonder what the rules are in the UK/Canada regarding cloned meat?

Princesskitty22 5 years 17 weeks

The effects of repeated cloning haven't been thoroughly investigated. This ruling is premature, I feel. Also, must we consume so much that nature can't keep up? What's wrong with good old fashioned breeding? That's how our ancestors went from cavemen to civilized people, yet somehow it's not good enough for us?

AbbyHintz 5 years 17 weeks

As herp_mommy said, farmers clone to increase the number of animals with "superior" genes; superior would be defined as any desirable quality: milk production for milk cows or fast running for race horses. This is a website for company that offers the service.http://viagen.com/I was very surprised when I learned about it.

AbbyHintz 5 years 17 weeks

As herp_mommy said, farmers clone to increase the number of animals with "superior" genes; superior would be defined as any desirable quality: milk production for milk cows or fast running for race horses. This is a website for company that offers the service. http://viagen.com/ I was very surprised when I learned about it.

BlackPowerBunny 5 years 17 weeks

bookish, that's a good question. why are we cloning animals for meat? i have to say that i'm concerned that they don't have to say that's it's cloned. everything is voluntary. as a texan, i'm all about beef, but i want to know where it's coming from.

BlackPowerBunny 5 years 17 weeks

Bookish 5 years 17 weeks

Why are they trying to clone animals, again? I'm a vegetarian and so this won't really effect me much but... is artificial insemination just suddenly not working? Bulls just not interested in the ladies anymore? The old-fashioned way has worked pretty darn well thus far- why are we trying to clone meat animals?

Kaysnowboarder 5 years 17 weeks

Go to Europe - see how they eat and look at their health statistics compared to us. Big difference - no clone foods for them. I for one will only eat organic. Shame on the FDA. You should check out the slow food movement.

veronicaraye 5 years 17 weeks

well....ya think?

veronicaraye 5 years 17 weeks

well....ya think?

foxie 5 years 17 weeks

FDA is not your friend."Studies have shown that cloned animals are much more likely to suffer from birth defects and health problems, including still births and premature deaths. These animals can have serious problems such as diabetes, intestinal blockages, shortened tendons, deformed feet, weakened immune systems, dysfunctional hearts, brains, livers, kidneys, respiratory distress, or circulatory problems. These ailments are just some of the unfortunate, but all too common problems that can occur as a result of cloning.A 2005 review of cloning found that only 6% of all cloned embryos transferred into surrogate cows have survived, proving that cloning is still a very inefficient and new science. Not only are the cloned animals suffering from health issues, but so are their surrogate moms! Many of these mothers end up dead or in poor health due to fetal overgrowth, repeated surgeries, injections, and pregnancy complications.But all of this hasn't stopped the Food and Drug Administration from making this possible. Unfortunately, there are still no regulations in the US to protect farm animals during cloning, despite a 2005 poll reporting that 66% of American consumers are uncomfortable with it. " -HSUS

foxie 5 years 17 weeks

FDA is not your friend. "Studies have shown that cloned animals are much more likely to suffer from birth defects and health problems, including still births and premature deaths. These animals can have serious problems such as diabetes, intestinal blockages, shortened tendons, deformed feet, weakened immune systems, dysfunctional hearts, brains, livers, kidneys, respiratory distress, or circulatory problems. These ailments are just some of the unfortunate, but all too common problems that can occur as a result of cloning. A 2005 review of cloning found that only 6% of all cloned embryos transferred into surrogate cows have survived, proving that cloning is still a very inefficient and new science. Not only are the cloned animals suffering from health issues, but so are their surrogate moms! Many of these mothers end up dead or in poor health due to fetal overgrowth, repeated surgeries, injections, and pregnancy complications. But all of this hasn't stopped the Food and Drug Administration from making this possible. Unfortunately, there are still no regulations in the US to protect farm animals during cloning, despite a 2005 poll reporting that 66% of American consumers are uncomfortable with it. " -HSUS

Jillness 5 years 17 weeks

"the FDA just is not to be trusted. They're in cahoots with so many special-interest groups, their word means nothing."So true, sadly. I agree, Yum, it is scary that they don't have to be labeled! We have no idea what harm genetically modified foods are already doing to our bodies, and they are not labeled as well. One more point on the FDA, I find it tragic that doctors are regularly bought by drug companies. Some doctors offices get their lunches catered EVERYDAY by drug companies looking for doctors to push their meds. I once knew a man whose job was to take doctors out to the best resturants, clubs, and strip clubs with the drug company credit cards. The FDA has really failed us in a lot of ways.

Jillness 5 years 17 weeks

"the FDA just is not to be trusted. They're in cahoots with so many special-interest groups, their word means nothing." So true, sadly. I agree, Yum, it is scary that they don't have to be labeled! We have no idea what harm genetically modified foods are already doing to our bodies, and they are not labeled as well. One more point on the FDA, I find it tragic that doctors are regularly bought by drug companies. Some doctors offices get their lunches catered EVERYDAY by drug companies looking for doctors to push their meds. I once knew a man whose job was to take doctors out to the best resturants, clubs, and strip clubs with the drug company credit cards. The FDA has really failed us in a lot of ways.

POPSUGAR Food 5 years 17 weeks

the crazy part folks is that it will not be required to be labeled. However, if it also cannot be considered organic (at least last I heard) so if you're worried, stick with organic meats. also phil - would you like to write some bad puns for yum? they're fantastic, you're a pro!

POPSUGAR Food 5 years 17 weeks

Link Love

39 Comments

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