Farmed
Animal Watch
A Project of Animal Place
January 11, 2002
(To Search This Page Press Ctrl F)
Issue #49
CONTENTS
1. Cloning Causes Arthritis?
2. Xenotransplantation Breakthrough or Bust?
3. Food Sellers Developing Standardized Animal Welfare Program
4. Smithfield Foods Profiled
5. Countering Animal Agriculture Pollution
6. Dorr Nomination
7. Environmentalists & Meat....?
8. Soy Milk Leads Growing Vegetarian Food Market
1. CLONING CAUSES ARTHRITIS?
Dolly, the sheep, has arthritis in her left hind leg. Born 5 & 1 /2 years
ago, she was the first mammal cloned from an adult egg. Whether her
affliction is a result of the cloning process is unknown. Developing
arthritis is unusual but not unheard of for such a relatively young sheep.
Cloned animals are known to have been born overweight, malformed and with
impaired immune systems. However, there has been no independent assessment
of the long-term health of animal clones. The lead scientist in the Dolly
experiment acknowledged that scientists might be too commercially motivated.
He is calling for research on the impact of cloning on animal health. Animal
advocates are calling for a halt to the experiments.
"Dolly's arthritis sparks cloning row," BBC News, January 4, 2001.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1742000/1742838.stm
2. XENOTRANSPLANTATION BREAKTHROUGH OR BUST?
PPL Therapeutics, the same company responsible for Dolly's birth, has
announced the birth of 5 genetically-engineered and cloned piglets for use
in organ transplantation research. The piglets were born with a gene
disabled so a human recipient would not immediately reject their organs. The
company claims pig-to-human organ transplantation could happen within 4
years. A $2 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and
Technology is funding the research. Critics say the recent announcements are
a desperate effort to find investors. Both PPL Therapeutics and another
bioengineering company have been taking steps to divest themselves of their
xenotransplantation efforts.
Critics, including the Campaign for Responsible Transplantation, a coalition
of 90 public interest groups, want xenotransplantation banned. They doubt
the organ rejection problem can be overcome, and fear the spread of new
viruses between species. A Canadian panel appointed to advise the Health
Minister recommends a ban on xenotransplantation. Their survey found that
most Canadians, once informed of the risks, oppose it. A significant
minority are concerned about animal welfare. Preferred alternatives include
expanding the human donor pool, using mechanical substitutes, promoting
disease prevention, cellular therapies and stem cell research.
Campaign for Responsible Transplantation
http://www.crt-online.org/
"Litter of Gene-Altered Pigs Cloned," The Washington Post, Terence
Chea,
January 3, 2002.
http://www.washtech.com/news/biotech/14424-1.html
"Mini-Pigs Grown to Farm Organs," Wired, Kristen Phillipkoski, January
3,
2002.
http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,49467,00.html
"Ban animal organ transplants: Panel," Canadian Press, Dennis Bueckert,
January 7, 2002.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Artic
le_Type1&c=Article&cid=1010358166481&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188
492&call_pagepath=News/News
3. FOOD SELLERS DEVELOPING STANDARDIZED ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAM
To avert continued pressure from PETA and gain public support, food retail
and wholesale organizations are working together to develop a comprehensive
animal welfare program. One goal of the program is to devise standardized
practices for all suppliers nationwide. Other goals include consistency, a
measurable audit process, implementation of practicable and attainable
guidelines, an ongoing advisory council of experts, and improved
communications on animal welfare issues throughout the industry. The
guidelines may be approved as soon as spring 2002. Next, an audit program
with a 3rd party verifier will be arranged. PETA is now asking McDonald's to
follow the lead of Burger King and Wendy's by expanding required welfare
standards to all its international suppliers. In November, PETA sent letters
to 3 of the 4 largest pizza chains seeking better treatment of dairy cows.
"Groups Draft Humane Animal Policy to Avert PETA Threats," Nation's
Restaurant News, Amy Zuber, December 17, 2001.
http://www.nrn.com
4.SMITHFIELD FOODS PROFILED
In a lengthy profile of Smithfield Foods, the largest player in the pig
industry, animal concerns are given but passing reference. The company kills
12 million pigs per year, including 32,000 a day at the world's largest
pig-processing plant which it owns in North Carolina. Smithfield is
criticized for animal cruelty and pollution, and for driving small farmers
out of business. The company claims to be environmentally responsible and
credits itself for keeping the market competitive. It controls 12% of
production and 20% of processing in the pig industry. Zoning and
environmental restrictions now limit its growth to only acquiring other
companies. It has 2 dozen U.S. operations and nearly as many in Canada,
France, Mexico and Poland, and is now looking to export to China. Sales this
year are expected to reach up to $8 billion with a net income of over $200
million. Smithfield attributes its success to vertical integration, owning
everything from the pigs to the packaging. Its next venture is "Lean
Generation," meat from a breed of pigs with 3% less body fat which is as
low
in fat, calories and cholesterol as chicken. The article discusses the
company's political influence in Virginia, where it is headquartered.
"Pork not a bad word here, " The Washington Times, Tom
Ramstack, January 7, 2002.
http://www.washtimes.com/businesstimes/20020107-80855242.htm
http://www.awionline.org/farm/SmithfieldHogtiedinPoland.htm
5. COUNTERING ANIMAL AGRICULTURE POLLUTION
Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Mn) is pushing a Farm Bill amendment to limit
federal aid to large-scale confined animal production operations for the
storage and treatment of manure. Wellstone wants large operators to pay for
their own cleanup, stating "We should not get into the business of
subsidizing overproduction of hogs and milk and cattle." He says the
amendment is necessary to prevent increasing consolidation which is driving
out smaller competitors. Industry representatives say the amendment will
actually accelerate concentration by increasing costs for mid-sized
operators. Environmental, family farm and animal protection groups support
the legislation. Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of the U.S. notes,
"Aid
should be directed to farms that give hogs access to pasture, not those that
put them in crates or pack them in windowless buildings their entire
lives."
In response to citizen concerns about stench from confinement pig
operations, the Des Moines Register is featuring interactive maps of Iowa
which gives the size, address, ownership and other information about
operations in the state:
http://desmoinesregister.com/extras/hoglots/index.html
"Wellstone amendment would limit aid to 'factory farms,'" Associated
Press,
Frederic J. Frommer, January 4, 2002.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/468/1010184.html
6. DORR NOMINATION
Thomas Dorr has been nominated to become USDA's new undersecretary for rural
development under the Bush Administration. Dorr once stated, "factory
farming is a model for the future." In a 1998 New York Times interview,
Dorr
called for county-sized corporate farms, averaging 225,000 acres, to be
operated as giant agricultural factories. He has denounced sustainable
agriculture programs that promote more humane alternatives.
Humanelines, Issue 177, January 9, 2002.
http://www.hsus.org/programs/government/humanelines.html
7. ENVIRONMENTALISTS & MEAT....?
The current issue of E Magazine contains many articles on vegetarianism
including a special report examining the irony of environmentalists eating
meat. It reviews the problems caused by a meat-inclusive diet, including
environmental, world hunger and human health problems. Statistics are
generously employed throughout. Animal concerns are also discussed in a
sizable section which notes that "the average meat eater is responsible for
the deaths of some 2,400 animals during his or her lifetime." The article
concludes with a look at vegetarians and vegetarianism, observing "It's
never been easier to become a vegetarian, and there have never been more
compelling reasons for environmentalists to make that choice."
"So You're an Environmentalist; Why Are You Still Eating Meat?" E
Magazine,
Jim Montavalli, January 3, 2002.
http://www.emagazine.com/January-february_2002/_0102contents.html
8. SOY MILK LEADS GROWING VEGETARIAN FOOD MARKET
The market for vegetarian foods is currently worth about $1.25 billion
annually. It is expected to grow at a rate of up to 125% over the next 5
years. The aging of a significant portion of the American public, and
corresponding health concerns, are the main reason for the increase. An
estimated 25% of the population replaces meat with a protein alternative at
some meals. Access to more meat-free prepared meals and guidance on
preparing vegetarian food is needed.
Soy milk leads the vegetarian market growth. Improved flavor and competitive
marketing have caused U.S. soymilk sales to increase from $1.5 million in
1980 to nearly $550 million last year. It now comprises about 2% of the
total milk market. Sensing the competition, in February 2000 the National
Milk Producers Federation filed a complaint with the FDA to banish the term
"soy milk" from soy labeling. It argued that soy manufacturers were
taking
advantage of the positive image of dairy terminology. Studies have shown soy
to have health benefits concerning everything from menopausal symptoms to
cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease. Soy is also agreeable with the 30 to
50 million Americans who are lactose intolerant. The article explores the
wide variety of available soy milk.
USA: New Year's resolution: eat a healthier diet? Report highlights growth
in vegetarianism," Mintel Consumer Intelligence press release.
http://just-food.com/news_detail.asp?art=46964&app=1&c=1
"Milk Without the Moo," The Washington Post, Carole Sugarman, January
2,
2001.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48124-2002Jan1.html