The FDA has just approved GMO salmon, which has already been dubbed frankenfish.
This USA Today story: In historic first, FDA approves genetically altered salmon reports the following:
If you want to find the latest product approved by the FDA, don’t bother with the pharmacy. Try the fish freezer.
The AquAdvantage Atlantic salmon has made history – along with a generous serving of controversy — by becoming the first genetically engineered food animal approved for sale in the U.S.
Because of its genetic modifications, the Food and Drug Administration said the new variety of salmon “meets the definition of a drug.”
It’s sad and also a little crazy – fish is now a drug!
Here is an excellent interview that Jeffrey Smith did on Underground Radio with Sean Croxton 5 years ago when the GMO salmon was pending approval: Say NO to GMO Salmon! with Jeffrey Smith. They talk more about the fact that this fish is now a drug which allows them to keep various aspects secret.
According to this Huffington Post article: FDA OKs Genetically Modified Salmon For Human Consumption
The fish grows twice as fast as normal salmon, so it reaches market size more quickly. It has an added growth hormone from the Pacific Chinook salmon that allows the fish to produce growth hormone all year long. The engineers were able to keep the hormone active by using another gene from an eel-like fish called an ocean pout that acts like an “on” switch for the hormone. Typical Atlantic salmon produce the growth hormone for only part of the year.
Boycotting the AquAdvantage salmon (produced by biotechnology company AquaBounty Technologies) won’t be easy because the salmon may not be labeled as GMO or genetically engineered/GE. And if you’re eating at a restaurant you may not know the difference.
Many big food stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Aldis and even Costco have said they will not sell this GMO salmon. This is good news!
The Center for Food Safety is ready to fight back and sue the FDA challenging its approval of these untested, unlabeled, and unwanted GMO/genetically engineered salmon and you can support this effort here.
Of course your best choice is wild-caught salmon, which are never genetically modified and have many added benefits over any type of farmed salmon, GMO or not. You may recall the great interview on The Anxiety Summit where Randy Hartnell, fisherman, and owner of Vital Choice talked about the wonderful benefits for seafood. Our topic: What you need to know about seafood—the ultimate brain and mood food
What do you think? Are we being overly concerned about GMO salmon? Or should we be boycotting it? Would you be willing to eat it and feed it to your family? Or are you strictly a wild salmon consumer?
While the FDA’s approval of GE salmon is concerning, I want to point out that the fish will not be available in stores immediately. AquaBounty says it will take about two years for the salmon to grow to market size (this is still faster than it would take non-GE salmon), so don’t quit buying salmon just yet! I always buy wild, but considering studies by Oceana showing farmed salmon mislabeled as wild a significant portion of the time (primarily during the off season), I wouldn’t count on buying wild to avoid GE. However, my opinion is that within the two years it will take for GE salmon to make it to market, we will have GE labeling. Vermont is set to mandate labels by July next year, so unless something drastic happens (like the DARK Act or something similar passing….), the time is coming.
Thanks for clarifying that this GMO/GE salmon won’t be available in stores immediately. And I agree the time is coming – consumers have had enough! In the meantime we need to keep up to date with what is going on.
Sharing the recent (October this year) Oceana information in case others haven’t seen it: “Oceana collected 82 salmon samples from restaurants and grocery stores and found that 43 percent were mislabeled. DNA testing confirmed that most of the mislabeling (69 percent) consisted of farmed Atlantic salmon being sold as wild-caught product.” http://oceana.org/press-center/press-releases/new-oceana-study-reveals-scary-news-about-america%E2%80%99s-favorite-fish
I recommend buying from trusted sources like Vital Choice – all their fish is wild and sustainable http://www.pntrs.com/t/TUJGRkdLSkJGTkVMTU5CRklNR0pM
I am confused about GMOs! I do no buy them. what is the problem if taking a gene from one fish to another. I relize we do not want a fish or animal gene in our vegtable. I certainly do not want my grains or any other crop modified to resist pesticides, we know the proplems there. But one fish to another, cost efficincy and more nutrition if they are freash cought by introducing the spiecies to the sea population and not farm raised for individuals profits? If we say that ones ok than where is the boundry for other gmos?
Hi Kathy
I encourage you to listen to the interview link – Jeffrey Smith explains many of the concerns. One is this: “The salmon — which contains a spliced-in growth hormone gene that makes it grow up to five times faster, reaching market size in about 18 months instead of three years — poses a significant threat to the environment and natural fish stocks as well.” (this is from a great article by Dr Mercola http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/08/genetically-engineered-fish.aspx – it was published in 2013 but is very relevant)
Best policy: If it is not labelled “GMO free”, assume it is GMO. This will make manufacturers of non GMO label their products, and anything that is not labeled GMO free can stay and rot on the shelf.
Perfect Su!
You assistant recommended I put this here. My health documentary, The Big Secret is on Amazon Prime and can be found in the link in the article below .. Please pass the word.
http://www.gmwatch.org/en/news/latest-news/18150-film-showcasing-dangers-of-gm-crops-and-associated-pesticides-wins-two-international-awards
Film showcasing dangers of GM crops and associated pesticides wins two international awards
Susan
Big congratulations on your much-needed documentary and for winning 2 awards! Thanks for sharing the link here – I’ll be sure to share this article on facebook and in my newsletter