AquaBounty will soon be importing genetically modified salmon eggs to their Indiana facility. The fish will grow at twice the speed of naturally developing salmon, making the fish cheaper and allowing them to keep up with demand.
The Regulation Green Light
AquaBounty was given the green light by U.S. government regulators to begin farming genetically modified salmon in the country this month.
Some Legal Pushback
Various environmental and fishing groups have challenged the FDA’s approval of the genetically modified fish. George Kimbrell, legal director for the Center for Food Safety, said :
“We think a remedy in our case would stop sale of the fish before they’re allowed to be sold.”
These legal measures prompted the alert, but the alert was lifted when guidelines for disclosure were solidified.
FDA Approval
The FDA removed the alert placed on AquaBounty for importing genetically modified salmon eggs to their Indiana facility in order to be raised for human consumption. They will have to comply with a new federal rule that requires companies disclose when food has been genetically modified.
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No Biological Difference
Although they grow at an accelerated rate, the “Frankenfish” have no biological differences than naturally born and raised salmon. However, they are raised in tanks and are made to be female and sterile, so if they do mix with a wild population on accident, there will be no cross-breeding.
Finalizing Guidelines
The company claims that the purpose of these fast-growing fish is to meet the population’s demand for animal proteins at a reduced cost.
AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf believes that they’ll get the go-ahead to sell the fish in the U.S. within weeks, now that the guidelines have been formalized.
Full Disclosure
Implementation of these new regulations and disclosures will take effect in 2020. So, the chances that you’ll be eating a super fish soon are getting higher by the day.
