A State Bill Passes, a Federal One Stalls
A California bill that would require the labeling of meat or dairy produced from cloned animals has passed the state Legislature. If the governor signs it, which he has 30 days to do, then it would become the first state with such a requirement - one that's supported by 89% of Americans, according to a recent poll.
Meanwhile, a federal bill to permit generic biotechnology medicines has stalled again. Generic versions of conventional drugs whose patents have expired have been available for over two decades, but biotechnology products aren't covered by 1984's Hatch-Waxman Act. For five years, members of Congress - primarily Democrats - have been pushing for a "biogenerics." Not surprisingly, Biotechnology Industry Organization president (and former key Republican Congressman) Jim Greenwood called the bill's defeat "more good news."