FDA Approves of Genetically Modified Salmon

But in an apparent concession to consumers who want to stay away from genetically engineered foods, the FDA also released draft recommendations Thursday to help guide food companies that want to tell consumers if their foods – plants or animals – have or have not been genetically modified.

This AquaBounty Technologies photograph shows two same-age salmon, a genetically modified salmon, rear, and a non-genetically modified salmon, foreground.

Typical Atlantic salmon produce the growth hormone for only part of the year.Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDAs Center for Veterinary Medicine, said the agency “has thoroughly analyzed and evaluated the data and information” submitted by AquaBounty.

The FDA said an escape is almost impossible because of redundant measures put in place to contain them in tanks.

The agency is opening 60 days of public comment starting November 23 on volunteer labeling for the fish. According to the FDA, none of these fish have been genetically altered.

“The regulatory decision in the United States does not impact on Health Canada’s review or decision-making process”, Sean Upton said via e-mail.

A few consumer groups had opposed the fish, saying it could be risky to human health and pose risks to other fish if it were to escape into the environment.

The FDA is requiring AquaBounty to take precautions to make sure the fish don’t get into the ocean, where they might compete with – or interbreed with – wild salmon. However, it issued draft guidance as to wording that companies could use to voluntarily label the salmon as genetically engineered or to label other salmon as not genetically engineered.

The FDA decision quickly drew the ire of consumer safety groups, who mainly worry about the fish escaping into the environment, labelling and the general safety of genetically modified foods – particularly in terms of possible epigenetic mutations.

Major retailers like Target, Meijer, Aldi, Giant Eagle, Whole Foods and US conventional grocery chains Kroger and Safeway have reportedly agreed not to sell genetically engineered salmon.

It took AquaBounty Technologies a series of submission of scientific studies for five years before the FDA recommended the approval in 2010. It’s the first genetically modified animal approved for human consumption. AquaBounty has inserted the growth hormone gene from another kind of salmon, as well as DNA from an eel-like fish called ocean pout. Just don’t expect to see genetically modified fish on a Legal Sea Foods menu, ” he said by e-mail.

The Panamian and Canadian governments will work with the FDA to supervise the facilities and perform regular inspections.