US FDA Evaluating GE Salmon for Release

Genetically engineered (GE) Atlantic salmon are called AquAdvantage with antifreeze gene from ocean pouch and growth hormone gene from Chinook salmon. They grow twice as fast as non-GE salmon and only need about 90 percent feed to reach the same weight. If the U.S Food and Drug Administration approves the release of GE salmon, it will be the first genetically engineered food animal for human consumption. The FDA is currently evaluating GE salmon as a veterinary drug.

However, two U.S. senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski reintroduced a bill that would ban the GE Salmon and are strongly fighting to keep GE salmon off the market. AquaBounty, the developer or AquAdvantage, insists that the technology is safe."We believe the economic and environmental benefits of our salmon will very effectively help to meet the demand for food from the growing world population," said Ronald Stotish, president and CEO of the company, which is also developing advanced-hybrid trout and tilapia.

Read the original article at http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/02/senators-introduce-bill-to-ban-genetically-engineered-salmon/ or visit http://www.aquabounty.com/documents/corporate/Risk_Assessment_Mitigation_of_AAS.PDF for the special issue of the Information Systems for Biotechnology on risk assessment and mitigation of AquaAdvantage Salmon.