Animal cloning: poll highlights consumer concerns
Posted, October 09, 2008 @ 15:00
EU should ban cloning, Parish says
Brussels, 9th October 2008 -- The European Commission should move to ban animal cloning for food until the science has proven it is safe for them to enter the food chain, Neil Parish MEP,Conservative chairman of the European Parliament's agriculture committee, said today after the commission published a 'eurobarometer' poll confirming the scepticism of consumers.
The study has shown that while citizens do understand the process of animal cloning, 81 percent feel the long-term effects on nature are unknown and 84 percent say we do not have enough experience about the long-term health effects of using cloned animals in food.
In September, MEPs backed a resolution authored by Mr Parish, which called for a ban on cloning for food until the science was further developed.
Current animal cloning technology is considered primitive and many clones die in the early stages of life. A report from the European Group on Ethics (EGE) states that 20% of cloned calves die in the first 24 hours of birth and a further 15% before weaning. Those that survive the early stages are likely to suffer in later in life through high mortality rates, ill health and susceptibility to multiple organ failure. Cloned foetuses are also often 25% heavier than normal which causes severe problems for surrogate mothers when giving birth.
Widespread cloning could also lead to a closer gene pool which would increase the chances of a multiple disease outbreak. Genetic variety defends against disease and without it animals are at a much greater risk from new diseases.
Mr Parish said:
"Consumers are right to be concerned about the long-term effects animal cloning could have on nature and human health.
"We must be guided by the science and not emotions, but the science is not suitably developed to ensure the levels of animal welfare and human health protection we would expect in Europe.
"The EU should ban animal cloning for food until the scientists can confirm conclusively that it is safe for human health, and does not provide untold animal suffering. The concerns of consumers must be heard."