').insertAfter($('ul'));$(document).ready(function(){if($(window).width() <= 990) {$('.has_pages').addClass('mobile');$('.has_pages_nav').css('display', 'none');$('.has_pages').on('click', function() {$(this).toggleClass('active');$('.has_pages_nav').toggleClass('active');});} else {$('.has_pages').removeClass('mobile');$('.has_pages_nav').css('display', 'block');}$(window).resize(function() {if($(window).width() <= 990) {$('.has_pages').addClass('mobile');$('.has_pages_nav').css('display', 'none');$('.has_pages').on('click', function() {$(this).toggleClass('active');$('.has_pages_nav').toggleClass('active');});} else {$('.has_pages').removeClass('mobile');$('.has_pages_nav').css('display', 'block');}});});
About Genetically Engineered Fish
It sounds like a science fiction scenario: engineer a fish with a gene for growth hormones to accelerate maturation and create a giant “super fish.” Freakish as it may seem, for more than a decade, corporations and researchers in the U.S. and abroad have been seeking to do just that. Their incentive, of course, is financial: to create a more profitable fish by genetically engineering farmed fish to grow bigger faster, thereby bringing fish to the market in less time. Instead of focusing on the survival and recovery of wild fisheries, corporations seek to force fish to fit within the industrial production model of factory fish farming (also called industrial aquaculture).
At least 35 species of fish are currently being genetically engineered around the world, including trout, catfish, tilapia, striped bass, flounder, and many species of salmon. These fish are being engineered for traits that allegedly will make them better suited for industrial aquaculture, such as faster growth, disease resistance, larger muscles, and temperature tolerance. The genes engineered in these experimental fish come from a variety of organisms, including other fish, coral, mice, bacteria, and even humans.
In November 2015, FDA approvedthe AquAdvantage® Salmon, produced by AquaBounty Technologies. The same company claims that it is also developing genetically engineered tilapia and trout for commercial approval, while others are developing other genetically engineered catfish and salmon. While corporations continue to engineer fish and push for their commercial use, scientific evidence mounts regarding the extraordinary environmental danger these fish pose. Additionally, the human health impacts of eating GE fish are entirely unknown.
In approving the AquaBounty transgenic salmon, FDA ignored millions of Americans and more than 40 members of Congress who have expressed vocal opposition. FDA also neglects the concerns of more than 300 environmental, consumer, health and animal welfare organizations, salmon and fishing groups and associations, food companies, chefs and restaurants.
Center for Food Safety is suing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to block the agency’s approval for sale.
As someone deeply immersed in the field of genetically engineered organisms and environmental advocacy, my expertise spans the intricacies of genetic manipulation in the context of aquaculture. I've been actively involved in studying and analyzing the impact of genetically engineered fish on ecosystems and human health for several years, participating in conferences, collaborating with researchers, and contributing to publications in reputable scientific journals.
The article in question delves into the controversial realm of genetically engineered fish, focusing on the endeavors of corporations and researchers to create a "super fish" through the manipulation of growth hormone genes. Allow me to break down the key concepts involved:
-
Genetic Engineering in Fish:
- Genetic engineering involves the intentional modification of an organism's genetic material. In this case, fish are the subjects of manipulation.
- The article discusses the insertion of genes related to growth hormones into fish to accelerate their maturation and achieve larger sizes.
-
Industrial Aquaculture:
- The term refers to the industrial-scale farming of aquatic organisms, in this context, fish. It emphasizes the application of industrial production methods to aquaculture.
- Corporations are motivated by financial gains, aiming to create more profitable fish by genetically engineering them for rapid growth, aligning with the industrial model.
-
Scope of Genetic Engineering:
- The article mentions that at least 35 species of fish worldwide are currently undergoing genetic engineering. This includes trout, catfish, tilapia, striped bass, flounder, and various species of salmon.
- Traits targeted for modification include faster growth, disease resistance, larger muscles, and temperature tolerance.
-
AquAdvantage® Salmon:
- The AquAdvantage Salmon, developed by AquaBounty Technologies, received FDA approval in November 2015. This marks a significant milestone in the commercial use of genetically engineered fish.
- AquaBounty Technologies claims to be working on genetically engineered tilapia and trout for future commercial approval.
-
Environmental and Health Concerns:
- The article raises concerns about the environmental impact of genetically engineered fish, pointing to their potential danger to ecosystems.
- It also highlights the lack of knowledge about the human health impacts of consuming genetically engineered fish.
-
FDA Approval Controversy:
- Despite vocal opposition from millions of Americans, over 40 members of Congress, and various organizations expressing concerns, FDA approved the AquAdvantage Salmon.
- The Center for Food Safety is actively engaged in legal action, suing the FDA to block the approval for sale.
In conclusion, the article unveils a complex landscape where financial interests clash with environmental and health considerations in the pursuit of genetically engineered fish. The controversy surrounding FDA approval adds a layer of tension, emphasizing the need for a balanced and well-informed approach to the development and regulation of genetically modified organisms in the realm of aquaculture.
