The Trans Ova animal biotechnology proposal is expected to be debated in the Iowa House on Monday of next week. 

Unfortunately, there are still a lot of unanswered questions regarding this proposal to give one company $33 million dollars. 

The biggest question is: why are Iowa legislators writing a bill for the benefit of ONE company?  Why not just craft an economic development package and then let Trans Ova try to qualify for funds from that package?

So, please contact your legislator this weekend.  Ask him/her this question.  Understand that they are under a lot of pressure to agree to economic development schemes such as this one, but also remember that they need to hear from their constituents.

To find your legislator, go to www.legis.state.ia.us/ and click on "Find your legislator."

Here are some additional questions and concerns that you can raise with your legislator. 

1. What is it about the cloned cattle that make them unapproved for human consumption?

2. What will Trans Ova and other animal biotech companies do with their waste and how can they be held accountable?

3. Currently, the success rate of cloning embryos into live offspring is at about 1% and the rate of pre-natal death and early mortality is at about 50%.  Given these rates, is investing in Trans Ova and animal biotechnology a good investment risk for Iowa?

4. Has Trans Ova acknowledged these rates in their presentation to legislators?

5. What guarantees has Trans Ova offered that they will hire exclusively within Iowa, giving jobs to Iowans as they have said they will do?

6. If Trans Ova breaks their agreement with the state and/or leaves Iowa, what provision do we (Iowans) have to get our money back?


These questions were compiled by Stephanie Weisenbach of the Humane Society of the United States.  If you have questions for her, she can be contacted at 515-283-0777 or [log in to unmask]


Erin E. Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
[log in to unmask]
www.iowa.sierraclub.org
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