Cloning

In this section you can find out more about issues relating to cloning that have been considered by the British Veterinary Association.

Background

In 1997 the first cloned sheep, Dolly, was born sparking worldwide debate on cloning. A wide variety of issues regarding ethical issues in research were raised and subsequent cloning efforts have raised serious concerns regarding the welfare of the individual animals produced through cloning methods.

BVA’s position

The BVA believes that:

The cloning of animals should not be commercialised in the UK
If cloning is performed then procedures should comply with the 3 R’s
The registration of cloned animals should be explored
The public should be aware that companion animals will not have the same behaviour as the animal they had been cloned from
Products from cloned animals and their offspring do not pose a public food safety risk.

What the BVA has done

In May 2009 the Ethics and Welfare Group discussed the issue and agreed a position.
The group also agreed to support the FVE review paper
The group will revisit the issue when new scientific evidence becomes available
BVA’s Production Animal Group considered the public safety aspects of cloned food in May 2010.