Buzz
Following years of hearings, applications, and evaluations, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved AquAdvantage Salmon for human consumption. This genetically modified fish, developed by AquaBounty in Massachusetts, is the first GE animal to be cleared as a food product by the FDA.
In a press release, the FDA confirmed that its decision was based on “rigorous scientific analysis and thorough review.” According to the agency, the GE salmon are “safe for consumption, the inserted DNA is safe for the fish, and the salmon grow faster as claimed.” The FDA also concluded that “AquAdvantage Salmon is as safe and nutritious as non-GE Atlantic salmon,” with no significant nutritional differences compared to traditionally farmed Atlantic salmon.
Courtesy AquaBounty
The 'triploid' fish are engineered with three chromosomes instead of the typical two, making them genetically similar to Atlantic salmon. They include a growth hormone from Pacific Chinook salmon and a gene from an eel-like fish to maintain year-round hormone activity. This modification allows AquAdvantage fish to grow twice as fast as their natural counterparts, potentially enabling faster and more efficient food production in urban settings.
Even with FDA approval, genetically engineered fish fillets won’t be appearing in your local supermarket freezers soon. The FDA mandates that these fish can only be raised in secure, land-based hatchery tanks located in two facilities in Canada and Panama. Additionally, the agency has implemented strict containment measures to prevent AquAdvantage fish from escaping into natural ecosystems, requiring AquaBounty to use multiple safeguards to ensure the fish remain confined.
