As New York Times columnist John Tierney points out in a recent article, many consumers worry about things that are not actually a threat to human health or to the environment. This is especially true in the case of food, farming and genetic engineering. While there are plenty of issues to debate (how can we make the best seed available to farmers that need it; how can we conserve land, how can we have productive farms without harming the environment), there are some scientific facts that have not yet seeped into the public consciousness.
With September upon us, perhaps you’re in the mood for a break, so I’ve rounded up a list of 10 things not to worry about this fall. You can make your own nominations on this blog.
I am not sure if your blog post is the most appropriate place for me to bring this up, but I can’t seem to find an NN group to fit my particular needs! That, and I think you are the best person to address the issue.
So, a recent Wall Street Journal article talked about how major food companies are pledging to not use milk or meat from cloned livestock in the human food supply. In your ‘10 things’ blog post, you answered questions relating to engineered crops, but what about animals? Are the reasons people are afraid of cloned and GE animals the same or different as the fears behind GE crops? Are there any issues specific to cloned animals? And by that I mean, any valid, scientific issues that should prevent people from consuming products from cloned animals? The article admits that cloned animals are too expensive to use for food anyway, a farmers have sold descendants of cloned animals for food.
Hi Anna
My expertise is in plants so I try to stay away from the animal issues (besides I am allergic to cats).
I can put you in touch with some experts on campus here if you like. Please drop me an email
pcronald@ucdavis.edu