WASHINGTON — A genetically modified salmon that grows twice as fast as wild salmon may be nearing approval by the Food and Drug Administration as the first genetically altered animal green-lighted in the U.S. for human consumption.
Normally, that would be a watershed moment for science — especially after an arduous 16-year review by the government.
Instead, opponents of the “Frankenfish,” as food-safety activists call it, are launching a new front to stop it from being approved. They argue the fish could contaminate wild salmon stocks if it ever escaped into the ocean.
“Nobody has answered the fundamental question of whether the development of genetically engineered fish is good for society or not,” said George Leonard, a marine scientist at the Ocean Conservancy.
The House passed a measure in June that prohibits the Food and Drug Administration from spending any funds on consideration of the salmon. Both of Alaska’s senators, Republican Lisa Murkowski and Democrat Mark Begich, are trying to persuade the Senate to adopt a similar proposal.
The Alaskans also proposed legislation this week outlawing shipment, transport, sale or purchase of genetically altered fish in the U.S. A hearing on the bill is set for Nov. 2.
“There is just too much at risk here,” said Begich, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee subcommittee on oceans, atmosphere and fisheries. “The public has expressed serious concerns about the introduction of Frankenfish into the nation’s food supply, including potential threats to the environment and public health.”
He also cited potentially harmful effects of the genetically modified salmon on the wild salmon industry, which Alaska dominates.
On top of that, both houses are considering a more broadly backed effort to force the FDA to require that all genetically altered foods be labeled as such.
The designer salmon is being developed by AquaBounty Technologies, based in Waltham, Mass. It was originally created by researchers at Newfoundland’s Memorial University, according to a company spokesperson.
Genes from the Chinook salmon, the largest Pacific salmon, were added to the Atlantic salmon, along with DNA from the ocean pout, similar to an eel, which spurs rapid growth. The salmon matures into adulthood in half the time as a wild salmon.
The eggs would be produced on Prince Edward Island in Canada. The company would sell the eggs to fish farmers. For now, fish would be grown in tanks in Panama designed to protect them from escape, but there are plans to grow fish in inland ponds in the U.S.
Ronald Stotish, AquaBounty’s CEO, termed efforts to prevent FDA approval a “dangerous precedent” that would allow a handful of lawmakers to “undermine a thorough and professional review by a regulatory agency.”
A spokeswoman for the FDA declined to comment on the agency’s timeline. But congressional sources said the FDA has sent its environmental assessment to the White House Office of Management and Budget, signaling that its review is largely complete.
AquaBounty also is working to develop several other genetically altered fish, including tilapia and trout. Last month, the company won a $500,000, three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study the sterility of genetically engineered tilapia.
Normally, that would be a watershed moment for science — especially after an arduous 16-year review by the government.
Instead, opponents of the “Frankenfish,” as food-safety activists call it, are launching a new front to stop it from being approved. They argue the fish could contaminate wild salmon stocks if it ever escaped into the ocean.
“Nobody has answered the fundamental question of whether the development of genetically engineered fish is good for society or not,” said George Leonard, a marine scientist at the Ocean Conservancy.
The House passed a measure in June that prohibits the Food and Drug Administration from spending any funds on consideration of the salmon. Both of Alaska’s senators, Republican Lisa Murkowski and Democrat Mark Begich, are trying to persuade the Senate to adopt a similar proposal.
The Alaskans also proposed legislation this week outlawing shipment, transport, sale or purchase of genetically altered fish in the U.S. A hearing on the bill is set for Nov. 2.
“There is just too much at risk here,” said Begich, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee subcommittee on oceans, atmosphere and fisheries. “The public has expressed serious concerns about the introduction of Frankenfish into the nation’s food supply, including potential threats to the environment and public health.”
He also cited potentially harmful effects of the genetically modified salmon on the wild salmon industry, which Alaska dominates.
On top of that, both houses are considering a more broadly backed effort to force the FDA to require that all genetically altered foods be labeled as such.
The designer salmon is being developed by AquaBounty Technologies, based in Waltham, Mass. It was originally created by researchers at Newfoundland’s Memorial University, according to a company spokesperson.
Genes from the Chinook salmon, the largest Pacific salmon, were added to the Atlantic salmon, along with DNA from the ocean pout, similar to an eel, which spurs rapid growth. The salmon matures into adulthood in half the time as a wild salmon.
The eggs would be produced on Prince Edward Island in Canada. The company would sell the eggs to fish farmers. For now, fish would be grown in tanks in Panama designed to protect them from escape, but there are plans to grow fish in inland ponds in the U.S.
Ronald Stotish, AquaBounty’s CEO, termed efforts to prevent FDA approval a “dangerous precedent” that would allow a handful of lawmakers to “undermine a thorough and professional review by a regulatory agency.”
A spokeswoman for the FDA declined to comment on the agency’s timeline. But congressional sources said the FDA has sent its environmental assessment to the White House Office of Management and Budget, signaling that its review is largely complete.
AquaBounty also is working to develop several other genetically altered fish, including tilapia and trout. Last month, the company won a $500,000, three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study the sterility of genetically engineered tilapia.
PHOTO: Aqua Bounty
AquaBounty incubator tanks hold the genetically altered salmon.
