Religion plays role in cloned food

WASHNGTON, D.C., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- With the expected introduction of cloned livestock food on the U.S. market, questions arise about religion, ethics and animal welfare, experts say.

Speakers with expertise in biology, philosophy, ethics and theology told a Washington conference that scientists must use ethical means to solve societal problems stemming from the new source of meat and milk.

The question of human safety has been the only criterion used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the past. But, all that changes with food from cloned animals, The Washington Post reported.

The question of how various religions stand on the issue is now a hot topic among discussions on cloned food as experts inquire into how followers of some religions would manage cases where there are dietary rules against it.

A number of religions, including Christians, Jews and Muslims, have spoken against cloning but are reported taking a more favorable look at the practice, the Post said.