Cloned Meat
By: LaTonya Stephens
Updated: January 18, 2008
The FDA gave its stamp of approval, but what about the public?
The agency announced this week that cloned meat from cattle, swine, and goats is safe to eat.
But how does the average consumer and those that sell meat feel about it?
Customers at Rivertown Butcher Shop in Newburgh were split on whether its something theyd be comfortable buying.
Some customers say they worry about whether its healthy while others say taste is all that matters.
Butcher shop owner Randy Pearson says hes on the side of those skeptical about the long term health effects of the meat.
Hes says over the last couple of years things have changed and people are looking for natural grass fed beef.
So what he and others feel may be unnatural hes in no hurry to sell.
But he knows he may eventually have to.
Currently the FDA says it wont require labels that say cloned meat but will consider letting producers use clone-free labels.
Right now, because its so costly to clone animals......most experts think its the offspring that will initially be put on grocery shelves.
But as far as food safety, while the FDA says the meat is ok other groups point to possible defects in cloned animals as reasons to continue to worry.
