The revelation that milk and beef from cloned animals has entered the food chain has prompted much discussion and consternation.

Despite reassurances, most of the discussion has concentrated on the safety of food from cloned animals; their welfare seems to be of secondary importance.

Cloning is cruel with a huge potential for causing pain, distress and suffering at all stages of the process and results in severe health and welfare problems for animals.

The European Group on Ethics has said that it "has doubts as to whether cloning animals for food is ethically justified".

The possible standardisation of farmed animals demonstrates a complete disregard of animal sentience and views them as units of production. However cloning is good for business and greed takes precedence over compassion.

There is already too much animal suffering. Is it really necessary to add cloning to the ever-increasing list of mankind's inhumane treatment of his fellow creatures?

Elizabeth Allison, Aylestone.