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WASHINGTON If cloned animal products are approved for human consumption, special labels won't be required.

Government scientists say they've found no difference between clones and conventional cows, pigs, or goats. But shoppers wanting to steer clear of such products will have a government clue to go by -- the Department of Agriculture's round, green organic seal.

Items containing cloned material can not carry the seal. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve cloned animal products for the human food supply in the next year. Some companies are already resisting the trend.

The country's biggest organic farming cooperative, Organic Valley, says it will have nothing to do with cloning. Ben and Jerry's ice cream is considering clone-free labels.

Public opinion toward cloned animal products appears mixed so far.

On the Net:

National Organic Program: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm

Federal Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov