gelatin

Question

Dear Rabbi, I have learned that certain rabbis -- including the gaon Rabbi Ovadia Yosef -- have permitted the consumption of gelatin. However, other very prominent and learned rabbis have prohibited it. Who is right? Is it kosher or not? It can't be both kosher and non-kosher in the "eyes" of Heaven. This brings me to another question: if there is any doubt, isn't better to avoid gelatin and other food items that not everyone agrees is kosher? I understand that the Rambam taught that we will be held responsible for all the good things that we could have enjoyed on Earth but did not. However, there is also the teaching that: "what is forbidden is forbidden, and what is permitted is not necessary" taught by many Chassidic masters. Isn't it advisable to be extremely strict about all kosher items and not take any chances at all? It is an understatement that the Torah is more important than enjoying certain foods and risking that one is consuming something that we are not 100% sure is kosher. I apologize if what I wrote smacks of chutzpah, but I believe that it is one of the central points of discussions about kosher, and is pertinent not only to this website, but to all other kosher organizations and decisions. All the best, TD