Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT), or cloning, is likely to be used for the expansion of elite breeding stock of agronomically important livestock used for food. Cloning is a way to control genetic selection by preventing the random distribution of parent genes into offspring that takes place in sexual reproduction and makes possible the use of genomes from validated genitors. Cloning can be used in breeding to accelerate the introduction of desired traits into herds. The first cloned animal, ‘‘Dolly the sheep’’, was born in Scotland. Most commercial cloning is mainly taking place in cattle and pigs in the US. The risk assessment is comprised of two prongs; The first evaluates the health of animal clones, and is referred to as the Critical Biological Systems Approach. The second considers the composition of meat and milk from animal clones. There have been no health effects seen in sexually reproduced offspring of clones and conventional animals. Meat and food products (such as milk from cattle) from clones and their offspring are within the normal range observed in conventional products, and it is unlikely to be any food safety issues consuming such products. Many bodies, including The European Group on Ethics and the Advisory Committee on Novel Food and Processes, express the opinion that products from cloned animals and their offspring should be labelled. Therefore, we conclude that food from the progeny of any clone poses no more risk than food from any other sexually reproduced animal. No additional management measures need to be implemented to safeguard food products derived from clone progeny.

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