“Frankenfish” May Soon Be Available for Human Consumption
OutdoorHub Reporters 05.29.12
Critics of genetically modified fish have dubbed them “frankenfish,” alluding to Mary Shelley’s infamous literary science experiment, Frankenstein. On Congress’ plate now is a decision whether to allow the genetically engineered (GE) fish to be sold in American supermarkets.
On May 24, the U.S. Senate voted against an amendment that would have required additional study of the environmental effects of genetically engineered salmon before it becomes available as a human food supply. The amendment needed sixty votes to pass. Forty-six senators voted for it, while 50 voted against.
AquaBounty Technologies is the company that is set to produce the GE salmon. Its salmon have been engineered to grow twice as fast because they contain a growth hormone gene from Chinook salmon and a genetic switch from an eel-like creature.
Some conservationists worry that these fish could possibly damage wild fisheries if they escape. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the amendment seeking greater scrutiny of genetically-engineered fish. In a press release she writes, “this means that we not only make sure that genetically-engineered salmon is healthy to put in our bodies and doesn’t endanger our fishery resources, but also that it is healthy to our coastal environments and economies.”
Matt Tinning, executive director of the Marine Fish Conservation Network agrees with Sen. Murkowski. He said that although the Federal Drug Administration is reviewing the application by AquaBounty to sell GE salmon, they review only dietary issues, not environmental.
“The FDA has no expertise in safeguarding the health of marine ecosystems or the well-being of fishing communities. This amendment would have ensured that NOAA, our nation’s ocean science and fisheries management agency, be required to consider those potential impacts,” Tinning said.
“To give a green light to GE salmon without considering the ecological or socio-economic impacts that it could have on fisheries and fishing communities recklessly puts the health of our ocean and the wellbeing of our nation’s fishermen at undue risk.”
AquaBounty says the fish will not be harmful to the eco-system, even if they escape. The engineered females will be made sterile by inducing triploidy, so the cells that make eggs do not develop properly. There will also be intense containment measures in place at the land aquaculture facilities. Multiple barriers will be in place to prevent egg and/or fish movement to wild aquatic environments.
The FDA is currently reviewing AquaBounty’s application, while some states, such as California, are putting measures in place that require companies to label genetically engineered ingredients. While preliminary approval to produce the salmon was granted 20 months ago, political opposition has prevented the fish from being sold. This would be the first transgenic animal crop to be approved and would be hatched in Panama and Canada.
