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Media Advisory: BIO and FASS to Host Teleconference of Experts on Animal Cloning

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 28, 2006) – Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a draft risk assessment that found that milk and meat products from cloned animals and their offspring are safe for human consumption.  The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) will co-host a teleconference for the media today, Dec. 28, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. EST.  The teleconference will feature four experts representing the science, consumer opinions, the beef cattle industry, and the dairy cattle industry, to answer questions about animal cloning.  These experts will also be available for individual media interviews. 

WHAT: The teleconference will provide reporters with an opportunity to learn more about animal cloning and the potential benefits of this assisted reproductive technology.  Teleconference attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session.

WHO: The panel will include Dr. Terry Etherton from Pennsylvania State University, who will discuss the science behind animal cloning; Dave Schmidt from the International Food Information Council who will address consumer opinion of the technology; Dr. Don Coover of SEK Genetics, who will provide a beef producer perspective; and Amy Iager of Iager Holsteins, who will provide a dairy producer perspective. 

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. EST

WHERE: To access the teleconference, dial 877-707-9628, and provide the operator with the conference identification code “7BIO.”  The program title is “BIO & FASS Media Briefing on Animal Cloning.”

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations.  BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

Note to Editors:  Video clips of BIO’s Managing Director of Animal Biotechnology, Dr. Barbara Glenn, as well as 4-H youth commenting on what cloning means to the next generation of livestock producers, can be accessed at http://70.86.53.74/BIO_Revised.

Panelists on the teleconference are available for individual media interviews as well.  Additional third party experts on animal cloning are also available.

Additional scientific resources on animal cloning can be found at www.CloneSafety.org.

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