How will the public accept foods derived from transgenic animals?
A. Germ-line transgenic modifications of animals, including fish and shellfish, have already begun to receive public attention in the U.S. and abroad. Public acceptance of foods derived from transgenic animals will be important to the success of any transgenic variety introduction. Approval by FDA or a food regulatory group in another country does not guarantee public acceptance. Labeling of food from transgenic animals will likely be even more important to consumers desiring a choice than has been observed for milk derived from BST-treated dairy cows or for transgenic plant varieties. Ethical concerns among the public over the appropriate use of animals are issues, not evident with transgenic plants, that may affect public acceptance of transgenic animals as food sources. There is also expected to be variation among the citizens of different countries as to their acceptance of transgenic animals. Development of a world market for a transgenic animal variety is currently fraught with d
