Israel Weighs DNA For Kashrut,

Israel's Chief Rabbinate is weighing a proposal to genetically eliminate the sale of non-kosher meat as kosher. The Hatzofeh newspaper reports that Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger could order the establishment of a data bank containing DNA samples from all animals slaughtered in kosher houses. Under the proposal, meat that is sold under what is believed to be a false kashrut label could be tested to determine its origins. "The moment a DNA sample is taken from the animal, there will be no way of covering up the traces," project director Aviv Kahane stated.

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Questions about DNA for KASHRUT
Date 09:01, 01-31, 07

The idea for such a system is indeed very interesting. However, who would pay to implement such a system and oversee that it is kept up to date? How much would this add to the cost of meat at the wholesale level as well as the retail level. Kosher meat is already high enough as it is and any increase in price due to an added step such as the one being proposed would only add a hardship on those living on a fixed income. One of the main reasons people do not eat kosher meats is the higher cost. The goal is to get more people to start keeping kosher and eat kosher meats. Adding a system such as this one, will only cause the cost to rise and drive more people from keeping kosher and that is not our goal.