Weird Kashrut Question

[debka_notion]

What do you all know about current thinking on genetically modified foods and kashrut? Is it ok ever? Is it shatnez or something similar (my thought was that it would be parallel perhaps to the permission to use a mule although we aren't allowed to breed one)? I should go do some genuine research, but I figured I'd poll the more knowledgable in the process...

Comments

[zachkessin.livejournal.com]

I asked a rabbi from the OK about this a while ago, he said it was not a problem.

[nuqotw.livejournal.com]

I am going to engineer a creature that has split hooves, chews cud and says oink....

This wonder-creature's fur may not be mixed with the fur of naturally split hooved, cud chewing creatures.

Related question: In the Star Trek world, where everything is replicated, what happens? Can food that is created from pure energy be treif? Or kosher, for that matter. Will the replicator produce two different products if asked for kosher chicken or just plain chicken?

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

Probably someone will pull the stop that there's no tradition for eating your new cooked up animal, and the far right won't eat it... UNless you sneak it by them first for a while.

[fleurdelis28.livejournal.com]

There have actually been big debates on the Star Trek question. I don't think anyone has an answer. Jews are so wonderfully weird.

[navelofwine.livejournal.com]

There's a prohibition against mixing breeds of plants (kilayim), but it's considered to be very restricted in its application and doesn't apply to genetic modification.