Can a Cloned Animal's Meat Be Eaten Together with Milk?

The ethical position of the Torah with regards to cloning, as well as its Halachic ramifications, is of great discussion among contemporary scholars of Jewish law. I will limit this response to the actual question you asked — cloned animals vis-à-vis the prohibition of eating milk and meat.

It is important to note, that at this point in the scientific revolution of cloning, the cloned creature has a gestational mother. Even if the animal bears none of the DNA of the mother, it is carried by a mother and born from a womb.

According to Torah law, if a kosher animal gave birth to an animal which did not have the appropriate kosher symbols, e.g. a cow which gave birth to an animal that does not chew its cud or have split hooves, such progeny is considered Kosher and may be eaten.

Based on the above ruling, the majority of Halachic authorities have ruled that a clone's identity is determined by the mother in whose womb it developed.

Accordingly, an animal born from a cow has the Halachic status of a cow and its meat would be forbidden to be eaten together with milk.

The above information is for research purposes only. As in all issues that are subject to Halachic debate, before acting on such information, one must consult with the rabbi of the community.

I hope that this information is of help to you.

All the best,

Rabbi Baruch S. Davidson

By Baruch S. Davidson

Rabbi Baruch S. Davidson serves as shliach and rabbi of the Shul Community at Chabad of the Main Line and is the writer of Lightpoints, a collection of insights on the Torah, adapted from the works of the Rebbe. Together with his wife and children, he lives in Lower Merion, in the Philadelphia suburbs.

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7 Comments

Baruch Davidson NYC November 23, 2011

Re: Kosher cheeseburgers Even when science develops a meat that is not created within an animal at all, a cheeseburger made with this meat would be similar to the discussion in Jewish law about eating meat with almond milk. Rabbi Moshe Isserlis ruled that if one eats meat in almond milk, one should place almonds in the area so that no one should think that he is transgressing the prohibition of cooking and eating meat and milk together. This is in keeping with the precept of Mar'it Ayin.
Despite this, many authorities write that since nowadays the use of non-dairy milk or cheeses is so prevalent, people will not suspect that they are actually dairy, and therefore may be used with meat. The same might apply once fake meat earns that degree of popularity, we will have to see what the Halachic authorities rule on this matter. Reply

Anonymous Blacksburg, VA November 21, 2011

What about test tubes? I am eagerly awaiting kosher cheeseburgers. The BBC recently had an article about the possibility of scientifically manufactured "meat"...of sorts. It will be muscle cells, but not from any animal. I have to imagine this will be pareve, based on the foregoing article. Reply

Stan from Wesley Hills, NY October 9, 2011

Cloned animal's meat I am very happy you stated this is information is for research only because we now have the biotechnology to insert a pig embryo into a cow and have it be birthed with anti-rejection drugs. This would obviously set off a fire storm if it were to be brought to market! Reply

David Chester Petach Tikva, Israel October 7, 2011

Ethics not Diet! The prohibition against cooking the meat of a kid in its mother's milk has no direct connection with what we eat. It is an ethical prohibition, simply about not mixing the meat of the off-spring with the mother's milk. Of course its interpretaion has placed this commandment into the cullinary role. As receptors of these kitchen products we selfishly become aware that this combination of foods might actually be bad for us and we forget the principle on which it is based. That is to say, we have neglected its more basic ethical one.
For that reason we make no distinction between what we throw in the rubbish box, as to whether it is fleshic or milchic! What is the explanation for allowing this illogical and probably anti-mitzvah kind of behavour? for clearly there is more to vegetinarianism than merely what one digests? Reply

Stan Cohen Monsey Area, NY September 17, 2011

Slightly confused OK so if you implanted a cow's uterus with a pig's embryo than the pig becomes kosher and fit for consumption upon birth??!!!!! Reply

Anonymous New York, NY July 20, 2008

Cloned animal's meat You probably don't eat poultry and dairy because, in spite of the fact that hens dont produce milk so it is impossible to cook a chick in its mother's milk, you consider it a reasonable extension of the mitzvah. By the same token, a ruminant is a ruminant whether it is produced by cloning, test tube, or whatever freakish method. You don't eat its meat with milk because G-d commanded you not to, and that is enough.

Now, Rabbi, what is that thing about the product of a kosher animal being kosher even if it lacks the kosher characteristics? You mean if a cow give birth to a pig it will be kosher? Would you, please, elaborate? Reply

Menachem S. March 19, 2007

Keep up the good work Rabbi Davidson! A friend sent a link to your article, and while I don’t consider myself a man of learning, your answer sheds light on an area that I am totally unfamiliar. I'm very impressed by your wide range of knowledge and your insightful answers and I always enjoy reading your essays. Reply

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