The US government this week enters the final stages on its deliberations on whether to allow commercial production of a Genetically Modified Salmon. AquAdvantage salmon is the trade name for a genetically modified Atlantic Salmon developed by Aquabounty Technologies.
The AquAdvantage salmon has been modified by the addition of a growth Hormone regulating gene from 2 other fish. These genes enable it to grow year-round instead of only during spring and summer. The purpose of the modifications is to increase the speed at which the fish grows, without affecting its ultimate size or other qualities. The fish grows to market size in 16 to 18 months rather than three years. Separately, conventional salmon growers have publicly challenged the purported fast growth rates of AquaBounty's salmon and a committee in Congress took up a bill that would potentially outlaw GM salmon entirely.
If approved however, the salmon could be the first of some 30 other species of GM fish under development, including tilapia and trout. Researchers are also working to bring GM cows, chickens and pigs to market.
This news absolutly shocks me - I cannot believe that GM foods are actually still being entertained by the FDA when the evidence on the harmful effects is so overwhelming. What kind of world are we handing over to our children and are we condemning them to a future of ill health? and why is this firm hidden away in Panama? Someone wake up please!
The AquAdvantage salmon has been modified by the addition of a growth Hormone regulating gene from 2 other fish. These genes enable it to grow year-round instead of only during spring and summer. The purpose of the modifications is to increase the speed at which the fish grows, without affecting its ultimate size or other qualities. The fish grows to market size in 16 to 18 months rather than three years. Separately, conventional salmon growers have publicly challenged the purported fast growth rates of AquaBounty's salmon and a committee in Congress took up a bill that would potentially outlaw GM salmon entirely.
If approved however, the salmon could be the first of some 30 other species of GM fish under development, including tilapia and trout. Researchers are also working to bring GM cows, chickens and pigs to market.
This news absolutly shocks me - I cannot believe that GM foods are actually still being entertained by the FDA when the evidence on the harmful effects is so overwhelming. What kind of world are we handing over to our children and are we condemning them to a future of ill health? and why is this firm hidden away in Panama? Someone wake up please!
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