Get CommonDreams.org
in your mailbox
Progressive Community
The press releases posted here have been submitted by
America's Progressive Community
For further information or to comment on this press release, please contact the organization directly.
Most Popular This Week
Feedback
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Newsvine
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Technorati|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Consumers Union |
FDA will not require labeling of genetically engineered animals that are sold as food
Statement of Consumers Union
WASHINGTON - September 18 - Consumers Union finds it "incomprehensible" that the FDA will not require labeling of genetically engineered animals that are sold as food. Genetically engineered animals may contain genetic material from entirely different species. For example mouse genes have been put into pigs to help them metabolize phosphorous more efficiently, and spider genes have been put into goats so that they produce spider silk in their milk.
FDA proposed today that they will only review genetically engineered animals for their safety as food, and will not require any labeling. "It is incomprehensible to us that FDA does not view these animals as different from their conventional counterparts, and therefore something that under law is required to be labeled," stated Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives at Consumers Union, nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. "In our view, consumers have a right to know if the ham, bacon or pork chops they are buying come from pigs that have been engineered with mouse genes."
Consumers Union is also concerned that cows engineered to produce antibiotics in their milk, which can help the cow avoid udder infections, also will not be labeled. "Unlike conventional antibiotics, which must be cleared from the cow before it can be used to produce milk or meat, the antibiotic that is genetically engineered into the animal will always be present. We are concerned both about the potential safety and lack of labeling on such food products," stated Michael Hansen, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at Consumers Union.
3 Comments so far
Show AllTo the Editor
A news story “FDA issues final guidelines for genetically engineered animals “broadcasted January 15, 2009 on CNN reaffirmed the drastic change and concern regarding animal cloning for public consumption. I see no advantages but rather disadvantages to cloning animals. Have we forgotten about mad cow disease? Or how about the bird flu? Is it really possible to create a safe and tasty replica from an animal which has been stressed, injected with hormones, and anti-biotics? Breeding healthier animals in a clean and healthy environment is the answer, cloning is just a way out for producers as well as the FDA.
Recent research shows that the majority of the population opposes animal cloning for health and ethical reasons but the FDA refuses to acknowledge their opinion. Inevitably, the cloning has begun and the consumer will not have the right to know whether they are eating cloned meat or not because the FDA is not required to label such products. I wonder what new virus and infection trends the U.S. holds for the future if cloning continues to affect and alter our nation. Cruelty and alterations to animals not only affects them but the consumers as well literally, emotionally and psychologically.
Lucy Ochoa
San Diego, Ca.
Y'all just don't get it: the purpose of these regs. is NOT (I repeat NOT) to protect the consumer (us). It is, purely and simply, every time, to MAKE MONEY for the corporation. Got it?
OMG!!!!! What about people with deadly food allergies? It's already bad enough with the plant foods cross contamination. Now animal products. The public needs to be very alarmed by this. Corporations are going to kill off the "golden goose" (customers)yet: "The Amish are beginning to look more and more like a viable lifestyle alternative to me.", wrote Netminnow on the website discussion forum ;)