Extra Innings for the Cloned Food Debate

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"The FDA took another three years [after one preliminary report in 2003] looking at not only peer-reviewed data, but also asking outside independent scientists to review the data before publishing the final assessment in December."

Politicians and Retailers Weigh In

The delay in the FDA's move to approve cloned foods may signal that proponents of cloning animals may ultimately have to make concessions. One key point up for debate is whether food from cloned animals will be labeled as such. The FDA has said it does not support labeling. But it appears to be at odds on that point with a number of independent experts. In a 2004 paper, cited by the Center for Food Safety, the National Academy of Sciences advises labeling and tracking cloned foods to give consumers a clear opportunity to avoid such foods and to allow longer-term study of their effects. One of the recommendations in the paper: "Animal identity and identity preservation systems should be improved for tracking animals and animal products through the food chain."

Politicians also have begun to weigh in on the labeling issue. On Jan. 31, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) proposed her Cloned Food Labeling Act, which would require food from cloned animals to be clearly labeled as such. She says that Americans want to know whether the food they're eating comes from clones and calls the idea of food from clones "repugnant."

Retailers such as Whole Foods Market (WFMI) and Wild Oats Markets (OATS), as well as milk producers Dean Foods (DF) and Organic Valley, have said they will not offer any milk or meat that comes from cloned animals. Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of the all-natural ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s, now owned by Unilever (UL), has been one of the most outspoken critics of cloned foods.

"Irrational Fears"?

There are people who have filed comments with the FDA in support of its preliminary assessment. "I would buy and eat cloned meat," says Jamie Hallinan. "There is no ethical concern about cloning. It is new, so ignorant people fear it. They let religion once again impede the progress of science. These irrational fears have hindered human kind for years."

Still, the vast majority of the comments from individuals are against the proposal. "I cannot believe that you think five years of study is enough and that this next wave of genetically jacked with foods does not need labeling," writes Johnne Fischer. "I refuse to buy meat and dairy products that do not tell me the origin." Says Roland Beres, "To not give the American public the right to identify cloned meat is to stuff cloned meat down our throats without our permission. And that is un-American."

The FDA is expected to issue its final decision on food from cloned animals in the months after the close of the extended comment period, which is likely to be May 2. Approval could come before the end of the year.

Gogoi is a contributing writer for BusinessWeek.com.