FDA Considers Engineered Animals For Food

Agency Will Accept Industry Proposals To Sell The Public Animals With Mixed DNA

(CBS/AP)  The U.S. government will start considering industry proposals to sell genetically engineered animals as human food.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday a government review will ensure that such animals are safe to eat.

Genetically engineered animals are created when scientists insert a gene from one species of animal into the DNA of another animal to reprogam some of its characteristics.

For example, fish could be made to grow faster, or hens could be made to lay heart-healthier eggs.

It's unclear how consumers will react to such animals, even with a government seal of approval.

In May of this year, A CBS News/New York Times Poll found that 53 percent of Americans said they wouldn't buy genetically altered food. But as CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reported then, it's hard to avoid such foods because the FDA does not require manufacturers to label products that contain modified ingredients.

For example, today, more than 90 percent of the U.S. soybean crop is genetically modified - had its DNA altered to increase production and withstand chemical weed killers. And nearly three-quarters of all corn planted in the U.S. is genetically modified, Keteyian reported.

Experts say that means if it comes in a can or a box and the label lists soybean oil or corn syrup as ingredients, odds are that it contains Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Overall, 65 percent of all products in your local grocery store have GMOs...not that you'd know it by looking.

"The industry that makes genetically modified foods fought so hard to make sure that it wasn't labeled," nutritionist Marion Nestle told Keteyian.

According to another CBS News poll, 87 percent of consumers would like GMO ingredients to be labeled, just as they are in Europe, Japan and Australia. Yet the U.S. Congress has never even held a vote on the issue, to give shoppers the opportunity to exercise their most basic right - to make a choice.

The debate over GMOs in the United States started to heat up in 1999, when the FDA held it's first hearings on the subject of labeling food products that contain DNA-modified ingredients. The administration's position then, as now, was that it considered such foods safe for human consumption and therefore did not require labels. But in the face of some consumer backlash, then FDA Commissioner Dr. Jane Henney told CBS News that the agency was considering requiring labels.

"I think that a label might be one of the questions we want to explore." Dr. Henney said.

But in the end, the industry won out, as food makers sold the idea that a genetic label would brand safe foods as poison.

"The terminology that's used to talk about this, to describe this technology is frightening to consumers, they've told us that," Lisa Katic of the Grocery Manufacturers of America told CBS News. "What we are opposed to or against are labels that could potentially misinform or mislead them."

[pugster]

What kind of chicken is that?

[jamster31]

It looks like part chicken, pig and turkey. After they approve it they''ll come out and say, Oh! we just found out by our new study that eating them it causes cancer in humans.

[ejcspau]

That is a man-made chicken, not one of God''s creatures. They are playing with fire.

[wogerwabbit]

They can sell all they want, I''m not buying it.

[afmca]

With the assistance of the FDA, the food industry in America are using the consumers as lab rats for experimentation and profit. The only way to ensure the safety of these genetically engineered products is through generations of testing not years. Industry should be forced to label these products as genetically engineered so consumers can opt out. To allow these products on the market without labeling them as such is immoral. The FDA has reeked havoc on American health by allowing the mass injections of antibiotics in meat and poultry .. so we all would be wise to show apprehension to their opinions. They have proven they are more concerned about the industry than the consumer.

[xmanborg]

Look at the pictures above its John McLame and Sarah Palin.

[gwjackie]

What the hell no wonder there are so many sick people in the world. no more chicken for me.

[jamster31]

Looks like reverse evolution being done here. These chickens are turning into dinasours.

[pirmin3]

With 65% of the food on grocery shelves being GMO derived that explains the last two presidential elections. Engineered politicians to rule over engineered sheep.

[actornaught]

Did they get that pic off of some redneck pornosite?

Poor creatures. Leave them alone. It''s bad enough we slaughter them... do we have to turn them into mutants, as well? Humans are such selfish monsters. This will just be another way for Monsanto to take over and control the world''s food supply. We''re heading into something very dark.

[mahdeealoo]

Oh Boy! How is the FDA gonna tell us that genetically engineered food is safe for us to eat when it hasn''t even been tested? Will this "engineer" into our DNA fish scales, no hair, extra thin skin, webbed feet and a tail? Test it for 100 years and THEN tell us it''s safe. It''s back to basics; grow your own food in your yard, on your rooftops and in patio containers if you want untampered with food. But be sure the seeds are not altered genetically as well. What the heck are they thinking?

[checkthepast]

They can sell all they want, I''''m not buying it.

Posted by WogerWabbit

THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE ARE BUYING IT WITHOUT KNOWING IT!
AND THE INDUSTRY DOESN''T WANT TO HAVE TO LABEL IT!

[misands]

Those mutant chickens are really disturbing. I think it''s dangerous for humans to try to play God like this.

[sleepyric]

you''ve got to be kidding, right?? This is a gag? I''d bet that there is some chicken lobbyist behind this...gotta make more efficient chickens - make more money...do away with the feathers - mutate them into bald chickens...save more money,,make more profit...unbelievable! I want them labeled as such - mutant FDA approved chickens.

[actornaught]

If there mutants, they would have laser beams shooting from there eyes. Then they could cook themselves, except the last one. Reward it with a day at the beach, but lots of sunscreen.

[actornaught]

I speel good.

[incog-nito]

Well, you know, chicken is practically a vegetable in the American diet.

[beehive21-2009]

Meat is out,can''t trust the Government,it''s bumped it''s head ? Now, Bison it''s the way of the future,unless they show up nude on the news.

This story is temping to take your mind off the financial crisis looming out doors.

[incog-nito]

Scientists can already grow muscle tissue in a lab. It''s a matter of time before artificial meat is sold at your grocery store.

[actornaught]

I want a muscle farm with a marinay pond.

[antoniof123]

It just keeps getting better and better doesn''t it folks.

[jng123-2009]

ugh...glad im a vegetarian!

[ubrew12]

We are living through one of the worlds mass extinction events, according to biologists, who oughta know. Half of this is due to habitat destruction, and other half due to introduced species.

While I don''t have a problem eating engineered animals, we should all worry about introducing new species on lands shared by native species, because life has its own agenda, and engineered species genes will eventually show up in the native population, causing all KINDS of havoc to the native ecosystem.

There''s only one planet earth. I believe in engineering, and engineered species. I just also believe that we ought to take the opportunity to perserve this unique biosphere we''ve evolved on, BECAUSE of its uniqueness.

[actornaught]

Posted by singinrich at 12:58 PM : Sep 18, 2008

Nah, those guys with just LOVE these chickens, hot buttered butt raw.

[barbaram99]

This is sick.. I feel unsafe. This is scary as they are tinkereing with Mother nature. This is wrong. If they are going to with this in the food chain then mark the packages with such. I say no to this. I WON;T KNOWLY BUY OR EAT SUCH.

[hypnotoad72]

ugh...glad im a vegetarian!

Posted by jng123
----

They''ve been genetically modifying vegetables for years... :D

[actornaught]

If this is bad, then stop eating corn, tomatoes and potatos. And that''s just a start.

[xmanborg]

The picture above looks like John McLame and Sarah Palin the day after the election.

[cdfoxtrot3]

More Franken-foods on the way, it looks like. The onus should be on advocates of these abominations to prove they are safe - not the other way ''round.

[actornaught]

Tastes like *squish* primo mexican hairless...

[incog-nito]

When you mass produce anything, you tend to choose the one thing that is the most efficient to produce. For example there are hundreds of varieties of bananas with distinctly different flavors. Yet there is exactly ONE type of banana sold in most supermarkets: the one with the biggest size and the easiest to produce (and also happens to taste pretty bland). Unfortunately this is the way things are going.

[jetlizhan]

crazy, ridiculous, inhumane - our gov''t is nuts.

[Michael Arnold]

Thank god I don''t eat this *** anymore. UGH!

[rf35]

I don''t see any problem with a little genetic engineering in the food. Better than injecting them and hosing them down with chemicals. If it was deadly, people would be dying by now. There is no research to suggest GMO''s might harm anyone. Labeled or not, I will buy and eat them as long as they are comparable in taste and price with the natural variety.

[rf35]

One question, though...why is there a picture of the GOP candidates on an article about GMO?

[edward1975-2009]

They have been using chemicals in plants used for food and steroids in beef used for food forever. It''s all about yield per, and that''s the bottom line. As population around the globe have risen, the need to produce more food has too. With people living on what used to be farm and grazing lands, they have too squeeze the most out of everything.

[idnnsg]

They have NO CLUE what the h3ll they are doing to our food supply!

There are only two possibilities worth considering:

Either (1) God created the world, us and our food, and so mucking with the genes He created will P!S$ HIM OFF BIG TIME! Expect h3llfire and damnation to follow.

Or (2) People evolved over a long span of time, eating plants and animals that evolved along with them, so nobody has ANY IDEA just how eating this s.h!t is going to kill off the human race, but it certainly will!

Monsanto can just go to H3LL! (Same for ADM, etc., etc.)

[troopergal-2009]

We need to stop building on our richest farm land and become less dependent on foriegn imported foods, like the bad spinach and chili peppers that are killing Americans. We have higher standards to protect people from eating toxic foods than foriegn countries. Will the genetic food be safer than the food we get now? I still think that the hormones in the milk, chickens and beef cause weight gain and over developement in children.

[shanev137]

Welcome to Gattaca.

[actornaught]

Posted by IDNNSG at 01:23 PM : Sep 18, 2008

What happened to that whole "dominion" thing?

I might be a hillbilly, but I still don''t picture these chickens with the whips...

[stn_sage]

BALONEY! This government has it''s collective heads so far up their backsides they couldn''t find their way out with a seeing eye dog!

They can''t handle and deal with the known everyday quantities! And, now they tell us that they''re going to take bids to allow the production of ALTERED animal life for our consumption, and GUARANTEE it''s SAFETY!

That''ll be the day! These Dr. Strangeloves ought to be unceremoniously rounded up and held pending charges!
They and any wacko Congressmen who think they are going to get away with this act of debauchery better think again!

I suggest they better prove they can keep the food supply safe BEFORE they move on and try to do someone that''s ''over their heads''!

[wogerwabbit]

None to worry, it tastes like chicken.

[billpl-2009]

there''s probably nothing wrong with it but...

because of animal abuse, hormones, corporate processing, etc.
this will be the straw that breaks the camel''s back

[incog-nito]

Speaking of genetic engineering, humans will be next. Parents will want their offsprings to be free from genetic defects, with some "tall" and "smart" genes inserted. It WILL happen.

[actornaught]

I would take a piece of Palin pie.
Posted by listenupfool at 01:29 PM : Sep 18, 2008

That would be the "Pie to Nowhere" Special...

[berniepeders]

I would take a piece of Palin pie.

Posted by listenupfool

Yes, I''d like a big slice of that, too.

[actornaught]

Posted by singinrich at 01:44 PM : Sep 18, 2008

No, that would the one that says "Burmashave". This is number 9... number 9... number 9...

So yes, it''s too late.

[rf35]

You know, if people could put the breaks on breeding, we wouldn''t be having this issue.

[rudy654-2009]

This is disgusting. There have been no tests to show how these genetically engineered foods (often containing human genes) will affect humans. The FDA has been plugged full of people from Monsanto by the Bush administration and they have tried to get a patent on life. Before it was just anything from wheat to soybeans, now they want to inflict their warped creature food on us.