Let’s not eat Dolly.

The FDA’s public comment period on the plan to allow cloned animal products into our nation’s food supply ends next week, April 2. As things stand now, the FDA has approved the sale of cloned meats and they don’t have to be labeled to state that it’s cloned. We will be the only nation that allows this, if it goes through.

On The Diane Rehm Show today they had the pros and cons. (Podcast, real audio and windows media player available on that site. Look for Wednesday March 28, 2007.)

The advocate, Ruth Kava (Director of Nutrition, American Council on Science & Health) responded to questions from listeners by stating that the industry is conscientious and wouldn’t allow anything bad to happen.

When a caller brought up the pet food situation, Michael Fernandez (Executive Director, Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology) agreed with the caller that if the been/pork/etc. industries followed the Menu Foods example, they’ll know they have problems for weeks/months and not admit it until enough people die that they can’t deny it.

Ms. Kava replied that anybody who had concerns could simply not buy cloned meats, and when asked how they’d know (remember — no labeling) she said she was sure that if people called the companies they could find out.

Mr. Fernandez went on to point out that a huge percentage of cloning attempts are failures (over 90%) and the way the current standards are written, the meat resulting from those failed attempts can be –

Are you ready for this?

Used to feed livestock and pets.

Fascinating listening. I do suggest you hear it.

The FDA says this is safe.

Some disagree.

I suggest checking it out and then letting the FDA know what you think.

The FDA encourages public comments on the draft risk assessment, proposed risk management plan, and draft guidance for industry for a 90-day period ending April 2, 2007.

Visit www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/dockets/comments/commentdocket.cfm?AGENCY=FDA,

and search for docket number 2003N-0573 to submit comments online.

Comments also may be sent to: Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Comments should include the docket number 2003N-0573.

(Note from Pooks: You’re running out of time if you’re using snail mail.)

The agency will review comments and evaluate additional data that may be shared during the comment period. The FDA will then issue a final risk assessment, risk management plan, and guidance for industry. The FDA will continue to closely monitor any changes in cloning technology and the development of clones and their offspring as a source for food as further data become available.

For More Information

www.fda.gov/cvm/CloneRiskAssessment.htm

You might consider emailing your Senators and congress critters while you’re at it.

I’m against it. But you knew that, didn’t you?

What happened to Dolly the Sheep, anyway?