‘They’ say “you are what you eat” but just for the record that’s worrying. I don’t think I want to be. It was announced this past week cloned livestock are perfectly safe for human consumption. How do they know? Have we been eating cloned beef, pork, lamb without knowing it and without ill-effects? Not yet, I’m sure…but it won’t be long, no doubt. And yet it’s approved for human consumption while no-one knows what it may or may not do in the long term. My first thought was “I won’t buy it…simple as that…” Not so. Apparently the FDA has succumbed to pressure from lobbyists and are saying they likely will NOT label foods which used cloned product. This is outrageous…I don’t believe in cloning to start with but when it comes to food choices I want to make an informed choice for my family, as I’ve always done. This daft idea gives none of us that choice.
No different is irradiated vegetables, meats etc. They are already being sold and, to be honest, I couldn’t tell by looking which are irradiated, hydroponic or organic although, generally, I think it’s safe to say the organic fruits and veg, at least, are not as polished or “perfect” as those grown subject to pesticides, chemical fertilizers and so forth so I have to trust the supermarket, produce stand to be honest and tell us which is which. Yet while dieticians, nutritionists and the medical fraternity implore us to eat more raw fruits and vegetables and even while we follow their advice, should we happen to eat our eight a day…and if radiated…they are of no more value to our bodies and health than those from which we’ve already cooked out the enzymes, vitamins and most of what’s valuable to our body, health and well-being. Now a plan is afoot to dispense with the irradiated labels…and let’s not forget the companies looking to rid themselves of what has been mandatory labelling of BGH in dairy product.
No different than most people, I’m not wild about having to extend grocery shopping time having to read every label but I can’t help but wonder how did we get here, anyway? Don’t enough of us care? Aren’t there enough of us left who remember a time (even if only vaguely!), when food was bought fresh, cooked the same day or within a few days, and at least it hadn’t been tampered with, no genetic engineering, few preservatives. Wasn’t that what a fridge was for…to keep foods a little longer? When was the last time any of us broke an egg to find it already rotten? I’m not saying that’s a good thing but how come there is never a rotten egg or double-yokers? I buy a fair amount of organic product…from meat, poultry, grains, veg to dairy…and for the most part I’m pretty happy with what I get. I have to wonder, though. My carton of organic milk has an expiration date on it sometimes two or more weeks hence…what are they doing for it to last that long? I’m thinking I ought to go shoot them an email to find out.
Got to admit that I tend to buy fresh food as I am not a fan of frozen food.
The time it takes to do shopping is bad enough without having to study the packaging to find out about it.
I shop a lot at M&S in the UK where the shelf life is very short. I find myself compaining about it but maybe it is a good thing.
As to “Cloning”.There was an article in the paper last week stating that a Scientist in the UK has just cloned himself.
I think we are taking things too far now. Why would someone want to clone himself. The mind boggles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just wanted to add, I got a double yolk egg last week.
First time in years.
Served it to Hubby but I don’t think he noticed.
I’ve had discussions in the recent past as to why anyone wants to be cloned and, frankly, seems to me more a matter of ego. Maybe it depends upon one’s beliefs. If you believe in a soul being one’s ’spark’, how do you clone a soul? But even that aside, I guess one could assume that being cloned it would be another ‘you’ but it can’t be…our life experiences, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood are what forms who and what we are or become (or even not!). I rather put cloning in the same space as cryogenics and, as you say, why would anyone want to do either?
As to the double-yoker…imagine that? Was it a supermarket egg? Geez, and I got so excited a couple of weeks ago when I found one of my lovely brown eggs had darker speckles on it! No, really…my thrill knew no bounds…lolol!
I would entertain cloning myself for no other reason than I tend to make appointments for the same time and date in two diverse locations!… combined with the fact that I’m a Gemini we’re looking at potentially four of me.
PupsDad,
You are not my Husband by any chance.
He tends to do the same thing. I sometimes think he thinks of himself as Superman. I hav to keep track of his diary for that very reason.
Having said that, he is a Capricorn. You sound just like him!