want some cloned meat?

[Italianangel]

WASHINGTON - A long-awaited final report from the Food and Drug Administration concludes that foods from healthy cloned animals and their offspring are as safe as those from ordinary animals, effectively removing the last U.S. regulatory barrier to the marketing of meat and milk from cloned cattle, pigs and goats.

The 968-page "final risk assessment," not yet released but obtained by The Washington Post, finds no evidence to support concerns that food from clones might harbor hidden risks.

Recognizing that most consumers are wary of food from clones -- and that cloning could undermine the wholesome image of American milk and meat -- the report includes hundreds of pages of raw data to reveal how it came to its conclusions.

The report also acknowledges that human health concerns aren't the only issues raised by the emergence of cloned farm animals.

"Moral, religious and ethical concerns ... have been raised," the agency notes.

It will be years before foods from clones make their way to store shelves in appreciable quantities, in part because clones are too valuable to slaughter or milk. Instead, the pricey animals -- replicas of some of the finest farm animals ever born -- will be used primarily as breeding stock to create what proponents say will be a new generation of superior farm animals.

[JarheadRI]

Originally Posted by Italianangel

WASHINGTON - A long-awaited final report from the Food and Drug Administration concludes that foods from healthy cloned animals and their offspring are as safe as those from ordinary animals, effectively removing the last U.S. regulatory barrier to the marketing of meat and milk from cloned cattle, pigs and goats.

The 968-page "final risk assessment," not yet released but obtained by The Washington Post, finds no evidence to support concerns that food from clones might harbor hidden risks.

Recognizing that most consumers are wary of food from clones -- and that cloning could undermine the wholesome image of American milk and meat -- the report includes hundreds of pages of raw data to reveal how it came to its conclusions.

The report also acknowledges that human health concerns aren't the only issues raised by the emergence of cloned farm animals.

"Moral, religious and ethical concerns ... have been raised," the agency notes.

It will be years before foods from clones make their way to store shelves in appreciable quantities, in part because clones are too valuable to slaughter or milk. Instead, the pricey animals -- replicas of some of the finest farm animals ever born -- will be used primarily as breeding stock to create what proponents say will be a new generation of superior farm animals.

Hey as long as it tastes good I really don't see the problem. Hell I would rather eat a 'clean' cloned animal as opposed to one that has been shot up with all kinds of hormones!

[justaguy87337]

I'll pass. America has been the leader in suppling food for the world forever, this is a slap in the face to all ranchers across the country. I don't think you can clone as fast as raise animals and it can't be near as cost effective. The price for cloned meat has to be way higher.

[JarheadRI]

Originally Posted by justaguy87337

I'll pass. America has been the leader in suppling food for the world forever, this is a slap in the face to all ranchers across the country. I don't think you can clone as fast as raise animals and it can't be near as cost effective. The price for cloned meat has to be way higher.

Yeah I wondered that too. However it says that they would create a type of 'super clone' just to breed from. Otherwise I can't see how it can be cost effective either.

What about throubred horses though? HMMMMM!!!! We could have like 9 Man O Wars running in one race. Who would win?

[varbo]

Originally Posted by JarheadRI

What about throubred horses though? HMMMMM!!!! We could have like 9 Man O Wars running in one race. Who would win?

That would depend. are the jockeys clones too?

[tidalwave]

Not to jack the thread, but I'm looking forward to the day when we can use stem cells from pigs, cattle, chickens, etc. to grow meat tissue in factories rather than raising animals intended for slaughter. Sounds kinda sci-fi, but I wouldn't be surprised if this comes down the pipe. The environmental impact of requiring less pasture land and waste material alone could be staggering.

[justaguy87337]

less pasture land....why do u need less....for more cities. What would you do with all the animals that are raised for slaughter? They cannot live in the wild and would become extinct...the pastures would then turn to dust...disrupting the ecosystem....causing more problems than it would solve.

[tidalwave]

Originally Posted by justaguy87337

less pasture land....why do u need less....for more cities. What would you do with all the animals that are raised for slaughter? They cannot live in the wild and would become extinct...the pastures would then turn to dust...disrupting the ecosystem....causing more problems than it would solve.

The animals would live out their life cycle, just not be reproduced en masse. The man-made pastures would revert back to their natural terrain. Or, the fertile land could be used to grow other crops for human, rather than animal, consumption.
I mentioned the lack of need for pastures in recalling the growing population in South America (and need for cheaper meat) is causing thousands of acres of rainforest to be burned.. throwing tons of particulate matter into the atmosphere and reducing the earth's natural CO2 balance. There's also a significant impact caused by the run-off from animal ranches that pollute the water table.

[justaguy87337]

so they are burning the rain forest to raise cattle? I thought it was urban development. Run off from ranches is far less of an impact than say.....industrial plants. Ranchers are stewards of their land, they care for it because that is money maker. If you take away the free range from ranchers then the land would go back to the government and well all know how well they can take care of things....it will be like our forrest overgrown and then becoming huge fire pits putting more particulate into the atmosphere.

[wildstang]

well if the cloned meat is so safe why dont the politicians eat it first for a few years and tell us then. safe to probably say none of it will end up on there table for dinner i reckon.

[sleepyles]

Originally Posted by wildstang

well if the cloned meat is so safe why dont the politicians eat it first for a few years and tell us then. safe to probably say none of it will end up on there table for dinner i reckon.

Yep I agree. Time for me to go Vegan!