FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2008

Contact:  Sandy Courtnage

Cloning:  a technology looking for a market

GREAT FALLS, MT  (Jan. 16, 2008) – The Montana Farmers Union released the following statement today in the wake of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) final risk assessment on the safety of cloned animals being available to be marketed in the U.S. food system.  

“We are concerned by the FDA decision to approve products from cloned animals be made available to consumers while significant questions surrounding the technology remain to be answered.

“The FDA should be proceeding carefully, with in-depth, independent studies conducted to support its conclusions.  Concerns remain surrounding food and animal safety, legal issues, and the lack of a public debate about the ethics of the issue.   

“There appears to be no consumer demand for the product.  Allowing cloned animals into the food chain appears to be a way to provide a market for a technology.

“Further, if studies by independent research should uphold the FDA’s assessment, we want to see labeling protocols developed and clear labeling in place in order to provide consumers with an informed choice.

“Montana Farmers Union urges Montana’s Congressional delegation to investigate this issue thoroughly and support Senator Mikulski’s Cloned Food Labeling Act.”

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