FDA poised to OK food from cloned animals

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

I hate this argument - it doesn't actually "remove choice" in any form at all, and to claim this is purely sensationalism.

The real issue is how much responsibility should be placed on the consumer, or on the company/labeling - it certainly appears that this firmly places all responsibility on the consumer, which is NOT the same as limiting choice. Be upset because the government is kowtowing to corporate concerns to save a buck, but don't make up nonsense 'choice' issues.

It's like the walrus complaining about the stolen bucket . . .

So you don't believe in food labeling? You "trust" the FDA to decide what's safe and what isn't? Remember, the FDA said Vioxx was safe.

And.. regarding Whole Foods.. nobody said everything was organic.. however.. you are able to CHOOSE organic foods. They are clearly labeled.

[Drolefille]

Vioxx is safe if you don't take ever increasing doses to manage your pain. THEN it causes heart attacks.

You can choose to eat "clone free" foods or whatever the final phrasing is. So far that includes Ben and Jerry's. Of course, that won't be a legal phrase either (much like "free-range") so good luck.


I have no idea why they want to sell cloned meat either Alphafrog. I'm missing something

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Vioxx is safe if you don't take ever increasing doses to manage your pain. THEN it causes heart attacks.

If that is the case, why was it taken off the market? Would be interested in reading something that backs up your statement.

From what I've read-- there were problems even during clinical trials.
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6627

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Vioxx is safe if you don't take ever increasing doses to manage your pain. THEN it causes heart attacks.

You can choose to eat "clone free" foods or whatever the final phrasing is. So far that includes Ben and Jerry's. Of course, that won't be a legal phrase either (much like "free-range") so good luck.


I have no idea why they want to sell cloned meat either Alphafrog. I'm missing something

I agree! I dont get the wanting to sell cloned meat deal. I agree that it would seem more expensive to produce than breeding. I guess I just dont understand why they think it's necessary to do that.

As far as prescription drugs go that is so true! There are probably a few dangerous ones that have slipped through the cracks over the years but for the most part I believe they are safe (if used as directed) when they come out. There is no such thing as a completely safe drug, not even something as seemingly simple and common as Tylenol. It's the consumer/patient that neglects to follow dosing instructions and/or health care providers that neglect to look at the list of medications the patient is currently taking before putting them on the latest drug (which can cause adverse reactions such as Viagra and hypertension medications for example) AND neglecting to do a complete history and physical to rule out certain medical conditions that would make the medication contraindicated for that patient. But having said that a list of medications and medical history at least from the subjective information end are only as good as what the patient tells you.

As far as Vioxx being pulled.....most drugs tend to be pulled when law suits are filed against them regardless of why the law suits are filed.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by blueangel

So you don't believe in food labeling? You "trust" the FDA to decide what's safe and what isn't? Remember, the FDA said Vioxx was safe.

READ THE POST.

This isn't even close to what I was arguing.

I'm a believer in markets - there, work with that.

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

GOOD THING BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF COWS.

Seriously, WTF.

The thread really should have just stopped after this post.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

The thread really should have just stopped after this post.

Yeah, I seem to remember another organic foods thread that turned into a trainwreck, with people going off on tangents. I'm not sure of the exact thread though.

[Drolefille]

The whole FDA issue boils down to numbers. For the vast majority of foods, the FDA does good things. They're very quick to stamp down on actual dangers such as the e. coli outbreaks and they do study potential dangers of hormones, genetic engineering, etc.

They have a very very good average. At least 99% I'd estimate. Issues like genetically modified food and cloning, etc. become little more than scare-mongering and attention-whoring, particularly when there is no evidence that they're dangerous. They just sound scary.

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Issues like genetically modified food and cloning, etc. become little more than scare-mongering and attention-whoring, particularly when there is no evidence that they're dangerous. They just sound scary.

In your opinion. And if that's your opinion, that's fine. But it's not my opinion, nor is it many other people's opinion.. which brings us to the crux of the matter. LABELING. The FDA is not requiring labeling.. so they have taken away our choice as to whether we want to risk exposing our bodies to eating cloned animals or not. I do not. I want disclosure.

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by blueangel

In your opinion. And if that's your opinion, that's fine. But it's not my opinion, nor is it many other people's opinion.. which brings us to the crux of the matter. LABELING. The FDA is not requiring labeling.. so they have taken away our choice as to whether we want to risk exposing our bodies to eating cloned animals or not. I do not. I want disclosure.

I think it's too early to tell whether the FDA will ever require labeling. This issue clearly is a new one and initial article says the decision on labeling is "pending". So I'd wait and hear the decision before getting my panties all in a bunch over something that hasn't even happened yet. Even if the FDA decides against labeling, the industry can also be self regulating in that sense by choosing to label items as "clone-free". It wouldn't be the same thing, but if your reaction is any barometer of what the general U.S. population will have, I imagine most companies will be clamoring to be "clone-free". Just my opinion though.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

GOOD THING BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF COWS.
Seriously, WTF.

Cloned sushi will look like this: