Cloned Food

About the Campaign

As the technology for genetically altering food has evolved, research into animal cloning has become more popular and widely used in the hopes of creating superior breeds of livestock for human use and consumption. However, animal cloning has grave ethical and environmental implications, and serious concerns exist over its prospects and uses.

Although it has been 60 years since the first animal (a tadpole) was successfully cloned, the technology is still inefficient and successes are sporadic. Only 1-2 viable offspring are produced out of 100 attempts,¹ and stillbirths, high rates of diseases, high birth weights, and premature deaths are common. See Ethical Issues – Animal Welfare for more information. Due to this inefficiency, cloning is also very expensive, costing approximately $15,000 per cow – as opposed to $2,000 for a conventionally bred cow.²

Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted a voluntary ban in 2007 on allowing products derived from cloned animals into the food supply, a primary concern to consumers has been the safety of these products and their potential effects on human health. Not enough extensive studies have been performed on this matter, and it is argued that the FDA’s risk assessment was flawed due to incomplete data.3 In fact, there is evidence that higher rates of genetic abnormalities exist in cloned animals than naturally conceived animals, which may have a significant impact on the composition of the foods produced by them and cause allergenic or toxic reactions in humans upon consumption.⁴ See Environmental Issues – Food and Safety Health for more information. The FDA has also rejected calls for the labeling of these products, violating the rights of consumers who may purchase these products unknowingly.

The increasing research and uses of animal cloning also leads to the question of human cloning, a prospect the same companies involved in animal cloning are currently exploring. The idea that humans could be cloned for very specific uses to create superior beings is unethical and downright terrifying. The acceptance of animal cloning and the support of these companies lead us down a dangerous path to other options we may view as science fiction now but may become realities in the future. See Ethical Issues – Implications for the Future for more information.

Follow the links on the left for more information on the environmental and ethical implications of animal cloning, corporate influence, legislation, and labeling, as well as how you can get involved and places to go for additional resources.