How will genetically engineered food (i.e., cloned animals) affect religious dietary laws?

Answer 1

I wonder if 1000 years from now people will look back and see the roots of new religions? I could imagine religions with laws that you don't eat cloned food or genetically altered crops (which could be impossible by then due to wind borne pollination). A freaky thought is some cult that eats only modified or chemically created food - a sort of un-organic movement if you will.

Start writing - I'll wait for the movie.

Answer 2

I know you asked about cloned animals specifically, but consider genetically modified food in general.

Two combinations come to mind:

1.) Jewish dietary laws and pork products
2.) Indian religious practice and beef products.

Clearly there are many more, but these two are commonly understood examples.

There are already tomatoes on the market that have fish genes in them so they can handle lower temperatures without their high water content cells bursting due to freezing.

What would happen if some key gene was discovered in either pork or beef that say... increased the nutritional value, added essential vitamins not found in most fruits and vegetables (such as b12 as found in liver)?

In theory, considering that thanks to the FDA, its not currently legal to label your product as NOT genetically modified, the Jewish and/or Indian community would not be able to consume fruits or vegetables because they would have no way to know if they are in a round about way consuming a 'dirty' or 'sacred' animal.

I know! The solution to the problem is obvious - soilent green for everyone - now nobody has to worry about those silly religious rules.

Answer 3

Well... the "don't ask don't tell" virus will mutate and spread to the supermarket from the army.

when you find one person (that doesn't grow his own livestock) that still follows ALL of the dietary laws, I would start to worry... Until then, people have gotten used to following the parts of their religions that they like or feel are necessary and when something stops seeming entirely possible they will begin to re-interpret that passage... actually though, I don't see how eating a cloned sheep that makes spider silk instead of milk in its mammary glands violates any of the religious dietary laws I'm aware of... however, laws of economics that say you would have to be off your rocker to slaughter a sheep for $500 of meat after you spent three million cloning it make the me not think that this issue will much come into play.

Answer 4

Shouldn't affect it since in order to make a clone you need to start with part of the real deal. In other words, it does not matter how the animal came to be, it is still alive.

Answer 5

Jesus says our bodies are His earthly temples and we are to protect, respect, and nourish them. So, I am very careful buy and eat only naturally raised, fed, and slaughtered beef that is free of steroids and other chemical agents.

I stay away from any food that is chemically enhanced or genetically altered. That will not change.

I will not knowingly buy nor eat anything cloned.

Answer 6

They will create defective animals that will bring new health problems to mankind that we will regret. Forcing us to go back to the organic animals that God already has genetically perfected through evolution for human consumption as a food product.

Answer 7

I eat anything I want. I probably wont eat Dolly the sheep tho. LOL In fact, isnt Dolly dead?

Answer 8

This is just a lame joke, isn't it?

Answer 9

It doesn't.