Two Faces of the Cloned Meat Debate
On January 15, 2008 the FDA approved via a 968 page report, the consumption of meat and dairy products, indicating the technology was safe and "virtually" the same as any other animal (Feight and Zuraikat 2).
This caused an immediate response from several diverse groups including "Center for Food Safety; Consumers Union; the Consumer Federation of America; Food &Water Watch; The Humane Society of the USA; and the American Anti-Vivisection Society" with strong opposition to cloned organisms; however, these reservations have not been regarded by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration, United States] and as a result does not regulate the offspring of the cloned animals (Feight and Zuraikat 2).
While the U.S. Government and the United Kingdom are of the same position, in which cloned food is safe for consumption; popular consumer belief and that of certain scientists and consumer organizations feel that the testing and long term effects of these foods have not been sufficiently tested and as a result, rushed to market.
This debate has set government against the wishes of the people, and has placed science and scientists in the center of a controversy which is arguably still in its embryonic stage.
Who can we trust, our government, our scientists, or our own judgement?
On January 15, 2008 the FDA approved via a 968 page report, the consumption of meat and dairy products, indicating the technology was safe and "virtually" the same as any other animal (Feight and Zuraikat 2).
This caused an immediate response from several diverse groups including "Center for Food Safety; Consumers Union; the Consumer Federation of America; Food &Water Watch; The Humane Society of the USA; and the American Anti-Vivisection Society" with strong opposition to cloned organisms; however, these reservations have not been regarded by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration, United States] and as a result does not regulate the offspring of the cloned animals (Feight and Zuraikat 2).
While the U.S. Government and the United Kingdom are of the same position, in which cloned food is safe for consumption; popular consumer belief and that of certain scientists and consumer organizations feel that the testing and long term effects of these foods have not been sufficiently tested and as a result, rushed to market.
This debate has set government against the wishes of the people, and has placed science and scientists in the center of a controversy which is arguably still in its embryonic stage.
Who can we trust, our government, our scientists, or our own judgement?