Meat and Milk from Cloned Animals in America's Food Supply?

Making News

President Bush Announces Economic Stimulus Package ()

President Bush today called for an "economic stimulus package" worth $140 billion, to encourage business to create new jobs and inject money into the economy, and to provide "direct and rapid income tax relief" to the American people. The President said the package "must be big enough to make a difference" and "take effect right away." After talking with him by phone, the Democratic leaders of Congress were optimistic about a quick agreement. Robert J. Samuelson is economics columnist for Newsweek and the Washington Post.

Guests:

• Robert Samuelson: Contributing Editor, Newsweek and the Washington Post

Main Topic

Meat and Milk from Cloned Animals in America's Food Supply? ()

The Food and Drug Administration announced this week that meat and dairy products from cloned animals are safe to eat, but the Department of Agriculture is calling for a "voluntary moratorium" for time to build public acceptance among US and foreign consumers. Meantime, it's possible that Americans are already eating meat, not from cloned animals themselves but from their progeny. If nobody can tell the difference, what's the problem?  Critics say it's expensive, inefficient and cruel to animals.  Should such food be labeled?  We hear from critics and advocates, and from a high-profile chef who conducted a double-blind test comparing porterhouse steaks from the progeny of a cloned bull and a conventional one.

Guests:

• Mark Peel: Executive Chef and Owner, Campanile Restaurant
• Marion Nestle: Professor of Food Studies, New York University, @marionnestle
• David Faber: President, Trans Ova
• Jaydee Hanson: Policy Analyst, Center for Food Safety

Links:

• Dolly the Sheep, Roslin Institute
• European Group on Ethics and New Technologies on ethics of animal cloning in the food supply

Reporter's Notebook

Democrats in Nevada, Republicans in South Carolina ()

Tomorrow, Nevada voters will express their presidential preferences in casinos and other places, too. In this confusing caucus state where the rules allow same-day registration, polls show Democrats Clinton, Obama and Edwards in a virtual tie. Also tomorrow is a Republican primary in South Carolina. Steve Kornacki, columnist for the New York Observer, looks at the Nevada race; Michael Scherer of Time magazine says things in South Carolina are getting tough.

Guests:

• Steve Kornacki: Columnist, New York Observer, @SteveKornacki
• Michael Scherer: Campaign Reporter, Time Magazine, @michaelscherer