I'm not a scientist and I do not play one on T.V. However, I am interested in bioethics. Yesterday the FDA declared food and milk from cloned animals to be safe for human consumption. The FDA and USDA have been mulling this decision for nearly 7 years. However, the agencies are asking the food industry and breeders to maintain a voluntary moratorium on introducing cloned products for public sale and consumption until they get their marketing pitch together for the public. Okay so they said it's to allow food producers to "come up with labeling and public education initiatives." Translation-give us time to market this for the public.
According to the AP, "The number of cloned cattle, pigs and goats in the U.S. is less than 600, about 570 of which are cattle." Based on this number the USDA doesn't believe cloned products will be hitting the grocery shelves anytime soon. The AP story says "Scientists describe cloning as genetic twins born at different times. Cloning companies say it's just another reproductive technology, like artificial insemination."
Now that's an interesting definition. Playing with creation (determining or generating life) is a slippery slope. While I am a strong proponent of using God's gift of science and technology, wisdom, insight and ingenuity to improve the global quality of life, I have serious reservations about eating a cloned Norman. For those who don't remember, Norman was the name of the cow Billy Crystal's character rescued in the movie, "City Slickers". He rescued Norman from the wild and ultimately the meat market.
If we think the marketing of "organic" or, "green" (environment friendly) products has gotten out of hand, wait until they start the clone marketing strategy. Can't you just see it? "Borden Milk: Is It From Elsie or Elsie's Twin? Only Borden knows for sure!"
Sure, the scientist are going to say that if we believe God provided the resources for the technology then it's blessed. That's like saying God provided the resources that produced the first handgun, so he ultimately blesses murders when handguns are used in a crime. Just because it's available or plausible doesn't mean we have to act on it. Those of us who believe in the exclusive creative design and presence of God also believe in the reality of evil. I certainly have the freedom and ability to drive my car through my neighbor's lawn, but I choose not to do that because it's not only illegal, but it's just a bad decision. You may have the accounting acumen to beat the IRS in the tax game, but the choice to act on it is ours to make. I have made and will continue to make poor choices that are contradictory to God's will. I'm human and flawed. But I am responsible for those choices. Hopefully, I recognize when my decisions are contrary to God's will, confess them before Him, seek forgiveness and attempt not to repeat them. God entrusted us with the earth. And according to Genesis 1:28-29, He already provided and designed the food sources we need. We're to be stewards of His creation and He expects us to be responsible. I'm just not sure how responsible cloning is even if we have the science and ability to do it.
Remember Dolly the first cloned mammal? She was cloned in 1997, but had to be put down in 2003, because of a progressive lung disease and crippling arthritis. Interesting! I attended a conference in 1998 where futurist, theologian and historian, Dr. Leonard Sweet spoke. I remember the intellectual and level-headed Sweet asking in a message that used cloning as an illustration for another point, "If they have cloned a sheep and are telling us about it, what has been cloned that we don't know about?"
So enjoy your Wendy's or McDonald's burger. Can't you see the sign on the burger joint now: "Come back next week for your burger's sister!"
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