The FDA is reportedly at least a year from granting final approval for cloned meats and dairy products to be integrated into the American food supply but that isn't stopping the industry - and concerned consumers - from talking about what's to come now, especially since the approval looks as sure as... well, as sure as something that is as sure as you can get.
After all, cloning has been in the ethical debate spotlight for years; from the reproduction of rodents to the world-wide celebrity-slash-sheep Dolly - a clone, and beyond it's forever something that people are talking about. Cloning goes beyond science. It goes beyond standards and taps into ethics, and religion, and morality; the very things that make people passionate. And, as we all well know in this day and age, passion sets a stage perfectly fit for a dangerous plot. And, with that in mind I don't have to wonder why Ben and Jerry's, and other like minded companies, are already working on a "no cloning" label for their products aimed at reassuring consumers of just what is inside the pretty package.
Now, here's the thing, while I'm just as concerned as the next girl about the ethics behind the cloning itself (another post for another day), I'm more concerned at this point in the ethical teeter-totter that will be introduced to the nation's business 'playground' with the approval. It's already been mentioned that the FDA, should they approve the distribution of cloned products, will from that point forward have to act on the premise that cloned products are indecipherable from uncloned products. Up to this point (to my knowledge) though it's only been mentioned in talks about which governmental hoops the companies wishing to use no-cloning labels will have to jump, hop, flip, and skip through to do so. So, obviously my beef is (horrible pun, sorry); if the FDA acts on that premise chances are they won't be biting at the bit to start up a task force in the name of regulating the use of said labels. Meaning of course, that the labels will no doubt be used and abused and spread throughout our land of food stuffs like the ever popular "natural" label is now. Goody. So, basically we'll never know what is really in our food. Or will we?
What's your take?
Technorati Tags: Cloning, Meat, Dairy, Ethics, FDA, Bovine, Government, Food, Labeling
4 comments:
Well, yes, I do think you're right. However, I know many people who are very conscious about the kinds of food they eat. Only organic this or that, no hormone-produced beef, whatever their special thing is. But then they are overweight. Seems to me if Americans worried as much about the amounts of food they eat as they do what goes into their food they'd find their way to good health much faster.
A family friend owns a natural foods store in town and refuses to use refined sugars. She's also about 100 pounds overweight. Seems to me she's worried about the wrong issue. I think that it's just easier for people (myself included) to focus on buying the right product than focusing on self-control and moderation.
Hope this doesn't sound too harsh, I know there are many reasons for a person to overeat and that's not really my point anyway. I just hear so many worries about food issues when it seems a little off-point.
Not harsh at all, and even if it was, it's the truth so...
I couldn't agree more really, one issue needs to be tackled at a time and it does seem that a lot of prioritizing of those issues is getting lost in the general public. i.e. obesity over pesticicdes - or in this case cloning.
Very good point!
I don't trust it for a minute, mostly because it is another scheme to make things cheaper and easier for producers, without concern for future health implications. I will not be buying cloned meat or anything coming from cloned animals.
At least not knowingly. :)
Personally the whole idea freaks me out. Eating meat already freaks me out, but especially the cloning idea. I just feel that it's really creepy in general.
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