The FDA has approved genetically-modified salmon, making this the first time the agency has approved a GM animal for human consumption.
Advertisement
The new AquAdvantage salmon is a type of Atlantic salmon that features genes from Chinook salmon along with a gene switch from a sea animal called the ocean pout, to make it mature faster than normal salmon. “Because the data and information evaluated show that AquAdvantage Salmon is not materially different from other Atlantic salmon, the FDA has determined that no additional labeling of food from AquaAdvantage Salmon is required”, the FDA says on its website.
A genetically modified salmon (top) compared to a regular farm-raised salmon of the same age.
The eggs for the salmon are raised in a facility in the eastern P.E.I. community of Bay Fortune and exported to Panama, where they’re grown in above-ground tanks.
FDA approval in the USA raises the prospect that the GM salmon could also eventually be approved in other parts of the world, including Europe, despite fierce public opposition to GM food.
According to the company, AquAdvantage Salmon is reproductively sterile, which eliminates the threat of interbreeding amongst themselves or with native populations, eliminating the risk to wild populations of fish or the environment.
AquaBounty Technologies did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for additional comment. The first filing for its FDA approval was made in 1995 by AquaBounty Technologies.
The agency says nutritionally, there is no difference between natural and genetically modified salmon, and regulators will not require special labeling for the genetically engineered fish. The company argues its fish actually could reduce pressure on wild fish stocks and prevent the overfishing of Atlantic salmon. In a recent NY Times poll, 75 percent of the respondents said they would not eat the so-called “frankenfish”, and 1.8 million people have sent letters to the FDA opposing approval. Just don’t expect to see genetically modified fish on a Legal Sea Foods menu, ” he said by e-mail.
The decision could set a precedent that allows more genetically-modified animal products into our supermarket, and many fear this genetic tinkering with our food will have disastrous results.
Advertisement
Consumers Union cited small sample sizes and “inadequate analysis” in studies and said the agency’s determination that escape is not likely was built on “inadequate science and unfounded assumptions”, according to the Post.
