h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.ciwf.org.uk/

Friends, I don't know your feelings on world events, but when it comes to animals and their standards of living, even if in the food chain. I hope you do have some feelings.

My close friend Websailor and I are, plus other hootoo friends and we have signed various petitions within this website. I would be pleased if you could give it a look over, as some of the issues I feel are of long term importance in our own health well-being.

Thanks!
Prof....

Prof I've signed the petition.

Thanks both. There is a lot more to this than just animal welfare with implications for all of us, and future generations.

Websailor

Prof

meant

think we should all be vege myself in an ideal world - not vege yet but would like to be one day ( when i can learn to coowkh lol )

I like the clone idea. On the subject of dumb things people do, and our responsibility to nature, take a gander at what our Willem had to say on the topic (great minds are thinking alike on hootoo here): http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F63395?thread=7671067&latest=1

Willem's piece is very thought provoking and so right. I do hope he puts it forward for

Websailor

I'm a bit concerned that the ciwf article seems to latch on to some birth problems and blame them on cloning...In particular, the so called "big calf problem". This occurs in cattle and pigs in particular, it has also been recorded in Zoo breeding programmes and embryo transplants in ANY mammal. The cause is now known to be a developmental problem involving a growth receptor that gets a bit "confused" in the early development of any transplanted embryo. It has nothing to do with the embryo being a cloned one.

I'm always suspicious when petitions use terms like "some", "most", "many".

Having said all that, I do agree in principle that we have no right to treat animals the way that some greedy people do, and that as a nation we eat far too much meat. As a family we have only consumed free range or organic meat and eggs for several years, it's more expensive so we have smaller portions, easy, see!

Furthermore, we do not allow any genetically modified or any other "monster food" into the house.

I know less than you about the over large animals, but there are enough worries without the detail and much of what I have read from various sources, suggests that the health of the animals has to be suspect from the start. It seems to me that such things are happening more frequently with clones than in the normal cattle. I have never considered that CiWF went over the top in stating the problems in all the years I have known of them and I would hesitate to suggest that now.

I just feel that meddling with nature to such a degree is dangerous, and bodes ill for the future, and also I don't trust those involved to be honest about what is happening.

Websailor

"I just feel that meddling with nature to such a degree is dangerous, and bodes ill for the future, and also I don't trust those involved to be honest about what is happening."

I couldn't agree more Webby, especially your comment about trust.

I've had no contact with the CiWF before, so my opinion is about that article and nothing more. It goes into great length about gestation and birth problems, followed by ill health and premature death. My ex neighbour had three boys, all by surgery because her small pelvis wouldn't allow natural birth, we have miscarriages and stillbirths, followed by cot deaths; and what about all our genetic disorders. It's not that long ago there was a worldwide scare over the MMR triple vaccine causing Autism, that ended when the Doctor who started it all was struck off after it was proved that his claims were nothing more than industrial sabotage.

I'm prepared to believe that CiWF are an honourable group with excellent intentions, they will not further their cause by making vague claims and employing half-truth and inuendo. If they have evidence that the problems they discuss are more prevalent in clones, then they should state that as a provable fact.

Maybe it's just a communication problem.

I'll repeat though, I'm with the sentiment 100%.

I have clicked on the link to sign the petition, but I can't see where the petition is???

Please could I have some more detailed instructions

Perhaps I am too late?

Thanks

Nigel

Looks like you might be right Nigel, but you can still sign here I think

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/factoryfarm

Websailor

PS

http://www.ciwf.org.uk/news/beef_and_dairy_farming/cameron_clones_call_for_action.aspx

It says you can still sign but I haven't figured out where

Websailor