A European poll has revealed strong doubts about the safety of animal cloning.

The European Commission published a ‘eurobarometer’ poll confirming the scepticism of consumers, with 81% feeling the long-term effects on nature are unknown and 84% saying there is not enough experience about the long-term health effects of using cloned animals in food.

In September, MEPs backed a resolution calling for a ban on cloning for food until the science was further developed. Current cloning technology is considered primitive and many clones die in the early stages of life.