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Appendix G: Investigation on the Attributes of Cloned Bovine Products

The Japanese Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology provided an unpublished bound report “Investigation on the Attributes of Cloned Bovine Products” by the Japan Livestock Technology Association (Japan, 2002). The 489 page report, provided in the original Japanese, and was accompanied by an eight page August 2002 English-language summary.

This appendix contains a translation of the first three pages of the bound report and the eight page English summary. These are followed by tables from the original bound report. The tables present the results of a feeding study in which rats were fed diets containing freeze dried milk or freeze dried beef from ordinary cattle and clone cattle at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, or 10% of the diet for 28days.General signs, body weight, food consumption, urinalysis, sensory and reflex function, spontaneous movement frequency, general function, reproductive cycle, hematology at autopsy, blood chemistry, organ weights, pathology and histopathology were compared between groups. English-language tables were provided in the original Japanese-language report with the results.These tables are included in this appendix.

English language translation of the first three pages of the report “Investigation on the Attributes of Cloned Bovine Products”

A project aided by the Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation

PROJECT REPORT OF AN INVESTIGATION ON THE PROPERTIES
OF PRODUCTS FROM CLONED CATTLE
(An Urgent Study Project for the Utilization of Cloned Cattle)
(1999 – 2001)

September 2002
Japan Livestock Technology Association

Results of an investigation on the properties of products from cloned cattle

Rapid advances have been made in the application of cloning technology in cattle multiplication. Products from embryonic clones of cattle are already on the market as safe foods. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) is currently gathering data on the safety of products from somatic cell cloned cattle and has released an interim report which states that so far there is no reason to anticipate safety-related problems.

Cloning technology is expected to advance further and come into wide use as a technology that can provide inexpensive meat, milk, etc to consumers. However, for this to happen, it is essential for the meat and milk of cloned cattle to become widely accepted by consumers as safe, high-quality commodities.

This Association conducted various investigations on cloned cattle, with grants from the Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation (ALIC), during 1999 to 2001. An investigation on the properties of products from cloned cattle, which was a part of these investigations, was commissioned to the Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology (RIAS).

The objective of this investigation was to collect data that would confirm the safety of products from embryonic clones of cattle, which are already in use as food items, and also data that would be useful in evaluating the safety of products from somatic cell clones. For this purpose, the properties of the blood, and the composition of nutritional components such as proteins, lipids, amino acids and fatty acids of raw milk and meat were analyzed and compared among ordinary cattle, embryonic clones and somatic cell clones of Holstein and Black Japanese breeds. Digestibility studies with artificial digestive fluid and with rats, allergenicity and mutagenicity (micronucleus) tests with mice, and a 14-week feeding study with rats were also conducted and the digestibility, allergenicity, and mutagenicity of the products, and their effects on the growth, functions and morphology of the test animals were compared. The results of none of the analyses or tests showed any significant differences between products from ordinary cattle and the two types of cloned cattle. Also, no harmful effect attributable to the raw milk or meat of the two types of clones was observed.

September 10, 2002

Cloned Cattle Investigation Committee
Japan Livestock Technology Association

– Contents –

Results of an investigation on the properties of products from cloned cattle
Urgent study project on the utilization of cloned cattle – List of the “Cloned Cattle Investigation Committee” members

1.	Summary results of the investigation on the properties of products from cloned cattle
2.	Tests on the properties of blood of cattle covered by the investigation on the properties of products from cloned cattle
3.	Analysis of nutritional components of raw milk and meat of cloned cattle
4.	Allergenicity tests of raw milk and meat of cloned cattle by the mouse abdominal wall method
5.	Studies on digestibility of raw milk and meat of cloned cattle
6.	Mouse micronucleus test on raw milk and meat of cloned cattle
7-1	14-week feeding study on rats, with raw milk of cloned cattle
7-2	Preliminary study for the “14-week feeding study on rats, with raw milk of cloned cattle”– Raw milk dry powder mixing concentration-setting study
8-1	14-week feeding study on rats, with beef from cloned cattle
8-2	Preliminary study for the “14-week feeding study on rats, with beef from cloned cattle” – Dry meat powder mixing concentration-setting study

English language summary of the report “Investigation on the Attributes of Cloned Bovine Products”

Press Release

August 13, 2002
Livestock Technology Division,
Livestock Industry Department,
Agricultural Production Bureau,
Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries

RE: Outline of Investigative Results on the Attributes of Cloned Bovine Products

An interim report of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) released in June 2000 concerning the safety of foods made from cloned cattle states, “There is no scientific basis for fearing the safety of foods”, and it recommended that foods derived from BNT cloned cattle be sold with labeling to that effect (optional labeling). The interim report also stated that, “It would be desirable to obtain data on a greater number of cloned cattle that would support safety.” Because somatic cloning technology is a newer technology, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is requesting self-restraint on the shipment of SCNT cloned cattle. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW: a new Ministry changed from MHW) are currently conducting an investigative study on safety.

In response, the Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology has been conducting a study on the attributes of cloned bovine products (emergency study project on cloned bovine usage). The results of this study have now been gathered so a summary is attached separately.

It is intended that the results of this study will be submitted as reference material for the “investigative research on the safety of animal foods that use cloning technology” currently being conducted at the MHLW.

For further information, please contact: Yoshitake Livestock Breeding Technology Center Livestock Technology Division, Livestock Industry Department, Agricultural Production Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries TEL: 03-3502-8111 (ext. 3911) Direct TEL: 03-3591-3656 FAX: 03-3593-7233

August 13, 2002
Research Institute for Animal
Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology

Outline of Investigation on the Attributes of Cloned Bovine Products

Commissioned by the Livestock Technology Association from FY1999, we conducted an investigation on the attributes of cloned bovine products. The following are the results of this investigation.

1. Objectives

To conduct an investigation on the blood attributes of cloned cattle (BNT cloned cattle or SCNT cloned cattle), and analyze the components of cloned bovine products (milk and beef), as well as to conduct a study on animal feeding of feed additives from cloned cattle, and obtain data comparing cloned bovine products and existing foods (products from ordinary cattle produced by artificial insemination, etc).

2. Outline of investigation

(1) Blood test

(Material and method)

Blood was sampled from ordinary cattle and cloned cattle at 3, 6, and 9 months of pregnancy and 3 and 6 weeks after birth in the case of dairy cattle (Holstein), and 3 to 4 times during a period from 21 to 28 weeks after birth in the case of beef cattle (kuroge-wagyu). The sampled blood was subject to hematological testing (12 items including red blood cell count, white blood cell count, and hemoglobin) and biochemical examination of blood (25 items including total protein, and total cholesterol) and compared.

(Results)

None of the animals showed abnormalities in performance status. There were also no biologically significant differences* in any of the test values between ordinary cattle and cloned cattle, for both the dairy and beef types.

* A biologically significant difference means a difference that could possibly have an effect on factors such as health and survival evident between the study groups. There are no problems if a biologically significant difference and statistically significant difference are in accord, but even if there is a statistically significant difference between the study groups in general, and that the difference is within the range of normal values it is unlikely that health would be affected, so one could not say that a biologically significant difference exists. In the investigative report, biologically significant difference was studied in addition to statistically significant difference. The same applies hereafter.

(2) Analytical study of milk and meat components

(Material and method)

The general components (water content, protein, lipids, and sugars), amino acids (18 types), and fatty acid (21 types) content (content per 100 g) in milk and slices of meat (9 sites) sampled from ordinary cattle and cloned cattle were measured and compared.

(Results)

Although there were slight variations seen among individual cattle, no biologically significant differences were evident in the general components, amino acids, and fatty acid content between ordinary cattle and cloned cattle for both milk and different sites of meat (Table 1).

(3) Milk and meat digestion study

(Material and method)

A study of digestion of pieces of meat sampled from ordinary cattle and cloned cattle by artificial gastric juice and intestinal juice, and a study of digestion of milk and meat that had been frozen, dried, and powdered (freeze-dried food) and added to feed, using rats were conducted, and the digestion rates that were regarded as parameters of protein were compared.

(Results)

There were no biologically significant differences in the rates of digestion of the feed additives due to artificial gastric juice and intestinal juice using rats between ordinary cattle and cloned cattle (Tables 2 and 3).

(4) Allergen testing of milk and meat by mouse abdominal wall method

(Material and method)

We sensitized mice with an intraperitoneal injection of extract from freeze-dried milk and meat slices sampled from ordinary cattle and cloned cattle. Fourteen days later we retracted the abdomen and induced an allergic reaction by reinjection in the abdominal wall. Allergen activity was compared based on the extent of vascular permeability (diameter of dye leakage) seen due to the sensitization treatment.

(Results)

For both milk and meat slices there were no statistically significant differences in allergen activity between ordinary cattle and cloned cattle (Table 4).

(5) Feeding test by the supply of a combination feed of milk and meat using rats

(Material and method)

Freeze-dried milk and meat of ordinary cattle and cloned cattle were each combined with basic feed at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% in the case of freeze-dried milk, and 1%, 2.5%, and 5% in the case of freeze-dried meat, and fed to rats (20 per group (10 males and 10 females)) for 14 weeks.

The general sign, body weight, food consumption, urinalysis (8 items), sensory and reflex function, spontaneous movement frequency, general function, reproductive cycle, hematology at autopsy (11 items), blood chemistry (23 items), autopsy and organ weights (brain, pituitary gland, cerebral gland, thyroid gland, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, adrenal bodies, and reproductive organs) of rats given the feed were compared among a basic feed group, ordinary cattle group, and cloned cattle group.

(Results)

There were no biologically significant differences in each of the items observed and tested over time in rats at any concentration of feed additive for milk and meat between ordinary cattle and cloned cattle (Table 5).

(6) Mutagenicity by milk and meat supply using mice (micronucleus test)

(Material and method)

Feed produced in the feed test by the supply of a combination feed of milk and meat in (5) was given to mice for 14 days whereupon the incidence of bone marrow micronucleus-possessing erythrocytes appearing was tested (micronucleus) and mutagenicity (clastogenicity) was studied.

(Results)

Clastogenicity was negative and mutagenicity was not evident for milk and meat feed additives from ordinary cattle and cloned cattle (Table 6).

3. Summary    

The above results revealed no biologically significant differences in component analysis testing and feed additive animal testing between products of BNT cloned cattle and SCNT cloned cattle (milk and meat), and the products of ordinary cattle.

Table 1. General components

(1) Milk

Note: The analytical values for each animal are the mean of the analytical values for milk sampled at two points – 3 weeks and 6 weeks after delivery.

(2) Meat

Note: The analytical value for each animal is the mean value of the analytical values of 9 sites: shoulder, chuck loin, rib loin, loin end, brisket, round, silver side, rump, and tender loin.

Table 2. Rates of mean digestion by artificial digestive juices

Note: The digestion rate shows the protein rate of digestion.

Table 3. Digestion rates of milk and meat in rats

Note: Milk and meat were each freeze-dried and combined in feed. The digestion rate shows the protein digestion rate.

Table 4. Allergen study of milk and meat by mouse abdominal wall method

Note: Milk and meat were each freeze-dried and the extracts were used as samples. The test groups underwent sensitization treatment and elicitation, while the control groups underwent elicitation only.

Table 5. Feed study of milk and meat by formula feed supply using rats

(1) Changes in rat body weight by milk formula feed supply (mean±standard deviation)

(g)

Note: Aside from studying a 10% milk powder concentration, 10 cattle each were also fed a low concentration (2.5%) and a medium concentration (5%), but no significant differences were noted.

(2) Changes in rat body weight by meat formula feed supply (mean±standard deviation)

(g)

Note: Aside from studying a 5% meat powder concentration, 10 cattle each were also fed a low concentration (1.0%) and a medium concentration (2.5%), but no significant differences were noted.

Table 6. Mutagenicity by the supply (14 days) of milk and meat using mice (micronucleus test)

(1) Milk

Table and Charts (pdf)

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