GM salmon s uphill swim may be near the end

Last time we checked on the status of the genetically-engineered salmon developed by AquaBounty Technologies, a number of Congressmen and Senators were clamoring to prohibit the FDA from approving the fish. Now, the FDA has submitted its support of the salmon s commercial production, leaving only the final step of approval from the White House s Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If condoned by the OMB, the AquaBounty salmon would be the first food product derived from a genetically modified (GM) animal that the FDA has approved for human consumption.

The GM salmon has faced criticism from environmental groups, as well as those concerned about GM foods in general. However, as ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross has pointed out before, there have never been any adverse health or environmental effects reported as a consequence of exposure to or consumption of a genetically-modified product. As for the salmon s environmental impact, AquaBounty Technologies raises the sterile female fish in contained inland systems, making it highly unlikely that they could affect wild populations. Nevertheless, the atypical involvement of the OMB in this issue may be an effort on the part of the FDA to attend to these political controversies.

Should the GM salmon finally be allowed into the commercial market, it stands to do a lot of good, notes ACSH s Dr. Elizabeth Whelan. The salmon grow twice as fast as conventional salmon, thus potentially lowering the cost of raising these nutritional fish. This means that the benefits of a salmon steak shown to be heart-healthy and good for developing fetuses, among other pluses may soon be affordable even to those on a limited budget.