News

Email Jury

Over one in three say ‘Yes’ to 
cloned meat

By Rob McLaren

MORE than a third of Sunday Post readers would happily eat meat from cloned cattle, according to the results of our latest Email Jury.

Controversy raged when the Food Standards Agency revealed meat from two bulls born from a cloned cow had reached the food chain.

A dairy farmer also said he used milk from a cow produced from a cloned parent, though it’s thought none of the milk entered the food chain.

Law

Only last month MEPs voted in favour of a law that would ban cloned meat and other animal products in the European food supply.

Thirty-seven per cent of our Jury said they would eat meat from cloned cattle and sheep, but 63 per cent said they’d refuse.

“You don’t know what effects it could have in the long run. It’s gambling with the human race with no known outcome.” — Elizabeth O’Regan, Lincoln. 

“If it looks tasty and is from a good butcher you know and trust, then go for it and enjoy, no matter whether or not it has been cloned.” — George McKenna, Ayr. 

“I never was very fond of meat due to the chemicals injected into the animals and their food. Now I think I’ll be an organic vegetarian and drink soya milk.” — Ian McRae, Monikie.

“I don’t think it’s right to clone animals. I’m sure there would be nothing wrong with the meat or milk but I think it is ethically wrong.” — Jane Smith, Insch.

“I don’t think there’s enough information out there yet. It’s probably safe enough, but ‘probably’ isn’t enough when it comes to your health. While it may have huge benefits in future, and shouldn’t be vilified, there needs to be more research.” — Steven Kelly, Dunfermline.

“At the right price I’ll put it on my plate as I’m on a low fixed income.” — Kennedy Sloan, Kingston Upon Hull.

“It seems that cloned animals die earlier and are more prone to sickness than naturally-bred animals. What’s to say that these characteristics couldn’t be passed on through the food chain?” — Robert Fawbert, Greenock.

“I would eat cloned meat. American research, although not conclusive, suggests it’s safe to eat. From what I read not much of this cloned meat would come on to the market anyway as the cloned animals are so expensive to buy. They would be used for breeding with natural-born animals.” — Bill Docherty, Newport.

“I don’t think it would taste good.” — Paul Cannop, Thurso. 

“Why must man always interfere with nature? How will these scientists answer in 50 years’ time when we don’t have any livestock because they have mucked about with them? Remember the dodo.” — Gordon Aitchison, Edinburgh. 

“Let the proponents of this scheme offer themselves and their offspring as a scientific test over the next 50 years before we allow this beef into the food chain.” — Robert Fawbert, Greenock. 

“I’m sure no-one would be able to tell the difference.” — John Cohen, Mirfield. 

“With world population rising and millions of people starving, this has to be one of the ways forward. The sooner we get used to this idea, the better.” — Alan Morrison, Glasgow.

 “I’m veggie so not worried about the meat but concerned about the dairy products. All the problems we have had — BSE, CJD, etc. — have resulted from man’s interference with nature.” — Victoria McNamara, Dumfries. 

 “Americans have found no harm in consuming meat or milk from cloned animals. It is virtually identical to naturally-bred animals, as the creature was a real and viable animal in its own right. To those who say it is unnatural, I say so are heart transplants, mass-produced insulin, and other medical procedures.” — Karen Gatenby, Darlington.

“We eat meat and dairy products now from animals that have been fed untold amounts of things like antibiotics and don’t get all up in arms about that, so what’s the difference? — Christine Boyer, Bicester.

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