‘Frankenfish’ threatens to wipe out wild salmon population b4in.org/b68w Proponents of GMOs prefer that you call it “genetically modified salmon.” Opponents of GMOs – including natural health advocates, organic food growers, animal welfare groups, environmentalists, commercial fishermen, restaurateurs and chefs – have settled on a name of their own: “Frankenfish.” But, by whatever name you call it, AquAdvantage salmon may soon be available in some stores. The FDA, scheduled to finalize its assessment of the genetically modified fish, may be nearing a ruling – almost two decades after AquaBounty Technologies, the developer of the fish, initially sought approval in 1996. The FDA is facing a firestorm of protest over GM salmon The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already made preliminary findings on GM fish, announcing in December, 2012 that approval of the application would not have a significant impact on the US environment. The agency called AquAdvantage salmon “indistinguishable” from conventionally farmed salmon, and claimed that it is equally safe to eat. More than 300 agencies, including the Center for Food Safety, have filed statements opposing approval, and 40 members of Congress have called for more rigorous review of the product. During the public comment portion of the proceedings, at least 400,000 people demanded that approval be denied. And, if FDA approval is granted, a growing number of supermarkets – more than 60 – have announced that they will refuse to sell the GM salmon. The revolt began with select companies such as Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Aldi’s, and has recently grown to include larger corporations such as Target, Kroger and Safeway. Significantly, retail giant Wal-Mart has refused to comment. Experts say that GM salmon could decimate the wild salmon population A primary concern of GM fish foes is accidental escape: if GM salmon escape containment and mingle with native salmon, their larger size would give them an unfair advantage in competing for food. Although the fish are bred to be sterile, the FDA itself concedes that up to 5 percent of GM fish are actually fertile. According to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, the accidental release of as few as 60 genetically modified salmon into a wild population of 60,000 would cause the demise of the native fish – a devastating scenario. In addition, opponents of GM salmon fear that safety concerns have not been fully addressed, and say that research on the fish has been flawed and incomplete. Educated consumers are the most opposed to GM salmon The Non-GMO Report cites a 2010 poll revealing that 81 percent of restaurant chefs surveyed oppose genetically altered food. And, perhaps more tellingly, a 2010 Washington Post poll showed that 79 percent of consumers say they won’t eat GM fish. What, exactly, is genetically modified salmon? More b4in.org/b68w
Posted on: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 18:55:14 +0000
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