Fast-growing GM salmon 'safe to be farmed and eaten'

Genetically modified salmon which grow at twice the speed of their natural counterparts are safe to be farmed and eaten, US regulators have ruled

Murray Wardrop
September 6, 2010
The Telegraph (UK)

The decision by scientists from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) paves the way for the first GM animal to be sold as food.

The fish, called AquAdvantage salmon, could be on American plates within two to three years, raising fears among environmental and food-safety campaigners.

However, shares in Aqua Bounty Technologies Inc, the company which created the fish, leapt by 26 per cent on the London Stock Exchange on Friday, indicating that analysts see GM as the future of fish production.

The FDA is to hold a public meeting later this month on the DNA-altered fish, which could also open the door to producing genetically engineered trout and tilapia.

In a report prior to the talks, FDA experts said the altered salmon were "as safe to eat as food from other Atlantic salmon” and that they saw "no biologically relevant differences" in vitamins, minerals or fatty acids.

The fish are "highly unlikely" to cause significant harm to the environment, the report added. However, critics of the technology have voiced concerns that it could lead to the creation of mutant misshapen fish and could harm wild fish populations if they escape. 

Read the full story in The Telegraph. 

Read related stories:
  • FOX Business; September 16, 2010; "Two CEOs help heat up debate over genetically modified salmon" 
  • CTV News; September 16, 2010; "P.E.I groups oppose genetically modified salmon"
  • Anchorage Daily News; September 10, 2010; "Alaskans line up against genetically engineered Atlantic salmon"
  • Toronto Star; September 8, 2010; "Genetically modified salmon is ready for dinner - Company seeks approval to sell farmed fish that grows twice as fast as Atlantic salmon"
  • Salem News (includes petition): September 6, 2010; "Genetically Engineered Salmon - Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Fish"
  • Associated Free Press: September 6, 2010; "US Mulls approval of GM salmon"
  • Daily Mail (UK); September 6, 2010; "Frakensalmon ruled safe to eat: Fast-growing GM fish approved by scientists." 
  • CBC News; August 31, 2010; "Verdict on genetically modified salmon pending" 
Read older related stories.

Posted September 6th, 2010