Federation of
Animal Science
Societies
(FASS)

Meat, Milk And Eggs Are Safe From Livestock And Poultry Fed Biotech Crops, U.S. Scientists Say

Read the Full FASS Report.

Are the meat, milk and eggs from livestock and poultry fed genetically modified or biotech feeds, safe to eat? Yes, says the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS), a federation comprising over 10,000 animal, dairy and poultry scientists. FASS scientists have reviewed all of the data available worldwide from research studies in which results have been published in refereed, peer-reviewed journal articles. These research results conclusively indicate that there is no effect of feeding biotech crops to livestock and poultry on the nutritional value or safety of meat, milk and eggs.

"In over 20 different animal studies, livestock growth, milk production, milk composition, and health are equal, whether fed conventional or biotech feeds," states Dr. Jimmy Clark, University of Illinois, dairy cattle nutritionist. "Nutrients in meat, milk and eggs from livestock fed biotech feeds are the same as those from livestock fed conventional feeds." Dr. Terry Etherton, Pennsylvania State University, expert on farm animal physiology, agrees: "Because most components of feeds are broken into smaller components during digestion by the animal, plant proteins have not been detected in milk, meat or eggs."

Dr. Marjorie Faust, Iowa State University, a leading expert on evaluation of biotech crops for dairy cattle, indicates, "The DNA or other proteins from biotech crops are not found in the meat or milk from animals fed biotech crops."

FASS concludes that meat, milk and eggs from livestock and poultry consuming the biotech feeds are safe and often may be safer for human consumption. "By 2020, global protein consumption from meat, milk and eggs is predicted to increase dramatically, a "livestock revolution". Therefore, with biotech crops, and animal food products, we will benefit the nutrition and well being of the world's population, especially children in developing countries," said Dr. R. Lee Baldwin, University of California, Davis, and Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences.

FASS was established January 1, 1998 to form a unified voice for the advancement of animal agriculture and animal sciences. FASS consists of three founding member societies: the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), and the Poultry Science Association (PSA). These three founding member societies comprise nearly 10,000 professionals from animal agriculture; additionally, the memberships of our client societies include more than 4,000 professionals in the industry. FASS is unique in that it supports common agricultural interests while, at the same time, streamlining administrative expenses and preserving the societies' traditions and values.

For more information, contact Barbara P. Glenn, Executive VP-Scientific Liaison, FASS, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 571-1875; fax (301) 571-1837; or access the FASS website at http://www.fass.org/.

Copyright 2000 Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) All Rights Reserved