Genetically modified salmon expected to impact business

For the first time ever, the U.S Food and Drug Administration has approved a genetically modified animal for human consumption.

AquaBounty Technologies announced last week that the AquaAdvantage Atlantic Salmon has the FDA’s OK for production and sale. The biotechnology company is promising a faster growing, less expensive fish.

Chief Salmon Steward and President of Sitka Salmon Shares Nic Mink says the so called “Frankenfish” is made with growth genes from King Salmon that causes it to grow more efficiently and a gene from an eel-like animal that ensures it grows quickly in colder weather when fish growth is usually slowed.

Mink tells WGIL the fish could be catastrophic for business.

“For consumers, yeah it might save,” Mink says. “People can get cheaper protein and derive nutrients, but for us the difference lies in its effect on one of America’s most important, domestic food producing industries, which is the salmon fishery in the Pacific Northwest.”

He adds that the FDA’s decision to allow genetically modified soybeans and corn gave farmers an advantage in the global marketplace, but the “nearsighted” approval of salmon will harm an industry instead of bolstering it.

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