Comment Of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
On The Draft Rule On The Safety Of Food
From Cloned Animals
Thursday, December 28, 2006

I appreciate that, as we requested, FDA’s decision has been offered first as a draft risk assessment and that the public now will be able to weigh in during a comment period.  I hope that many Americans will participate after reviewing FDA’s proposal.  I also appreciate that, in the meantime, the current moratorium will remain in effect.  We will closely examine the evidence that FDA presents in support of their proposed rule.  In the decisions that are reached -- and in the way this rulemaking is handled -- every effort should be made throughout this process to recognize, respect and maintain the high confidence that American consumers have in our agricultural products.  At every stage, this should be a careful, deliberative and open process.

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[The letter initiated by Leahy to HHS Secy. Leavitt about this rulemaking process is available:  http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200612/Leahy%20Letter%20to%20Sec.%20Leavitt.pdf]