Genetically Modified Salmon OK’d For Human Consumption In US

It could be available within a couple of years.

The officials said the fish would not have to be labeled as being genetically engineered, a policy consistent with its stance on foods made from genetically engineered crops.

The FDA approved AquAdvantage Salmon, an Atlantic salmon that has been genetically engineered (GE) to reach market size in less time than conventionally farmed Atlantic salmon.

AquaBounty Technologies, which is based in MA, is the producer of the AquAdvantage Salmon.

After news that the FDA has approved genetically altered salmon, Berkowitz described himself as a “purist at heart” and “until proven otherwise, I’ll remain skeptical as to whether these fish are perfectly OK to eat”.

But only time will tell if shoppers will buy the new salmon, or if they will be able to tell the difference. Because the FDA has found that these animals are “not materially different from other Atlantic salmon,” it also adds that it “does not require food containing ingredients derived from these salmon to be labeled as GE”. For example, the food from the fish had to be safe to eat; the recombinant DNA construct had to be safe for the fish itself; and the AquaAdvantage Salmon had to meet the sponsor’s claim about faster growth.

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.

Critics have pressured retailers to reject the salmon, which they have labeled “Frankenfish”. They worry it could cause human allergies and the eventual decimation of the natural salmon population if it escapes into the wild. “Not only does this ignore consumers’ fundamental right to know how our food is produced, it is simply bad for business, since many consumers will avoid purchasing any salmon for fear it is genetically engineered”. The geneticaly modified fish dont have to be labeled.

“The regulatory decision in the United States does not impact on Health Canada’s review or decision-making process”. In order to make sure the fish do not make their way out, the facilities have multiple barriers.

“Obviously they have to grow the fish so and their market wait is around about 18 months, versus three years with a conventional salmon”, she said. As well, the meat from the fish is as healthy as non-modified Atlantic salmon.

The GM Atlantic salmon is engineered with extra hormone genes from the Pacific Chinook salmon and a “promoter” gene from an eel-like species called the ocean pout.