Transgenic Salmon Gets Initial Approval By FDA - Probably Won't Escape, Says Company, Probably . . .

[hatrack]

EDIT

The AquaAdvantage salmon has an added growth hormone from the Pacific Chinook salmon that allows the fish to produce growth hormone all year long. The engineers were able to keep the hormone active by using another gene from an eel-like fish called an ocean pout that acts like an "on" switch for the hormone. Typical Atlantic salmon produce the growth hormone for only part of the year.

It is still unclear whether the public will have an appetite for the fish if it is approved. Genetic engineering is already widely used for crops, but the government until now has not considered allowing the consumption of modified animals. Although the potential benefits _ and profits _ are huge, many people have qualms about manipulating the genetic code of other living creatures.

If the salmon are eventually approved for sale, consumers may not even know they are eating them. According to federal guidelines, the fish would not be labeled as genetically modified if the agency decides it has the same material makeup as conventional salmon. AquaBounty says that genetically modified salmon have the same flavor, texture, color and odor as the conventional fish, and the FDA so far has not shown any signs of disagreeing.

Wenonah Hauter, director of the advocacy group Food and Water Watch, said forgoing labeling not only ignores consumers’ rights to know what they are eating, but "is simply bad for business, as many will avoid purchasing any salmon for fear it is genetically engineered."

EDIT

http://www.kaaltv.com/article/stories/S2874884.shtml?cat=10237

[Sekhmets Daughter]

1. Yep...I love salmon but if they don't label it, assuming approval,

I will simply not buy it again or order it in a restaurant.

[valerief]

2. More Frankenfood. I've read that 70% of what we eat in the U.S. is Frankenfood, whereas

it's only 5% in Europe.

No wonder so many Americans are gun-fetishing monsters. You are what you eat.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. And what effect might that growth hormone have on people eating these fish?

Has this been studied or only them profits to be made.

If this passed, I probably won't be eating salmon unless it's specifically labeled as non GE.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Like those pythons probably wouldn't escape into the Everglades ...

then, one hurricane later, they escaped.