Dive Summary:
- AquaBounty Technologies' fast-growing Atlantic salmon might finally become the first genetically modified animal approved for human consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this summer or soon after, but a battle still rages as to whether or not the "frankenfish" should be approved at all—and, if it is, how to label it.
- The salmon was developed by former Soviet biologist Kakha Bendukidze and AquaBounty has spent $67 million on it, but despite the FDA's conclusion three years ago that the fish is no threat to the wild or to humans, over 33,000 fishermen, environmentalists and food safety advocates have petitioned the FDA to oppose the animal's approval.
- With researchers in countries like China developing cows resistant to foot and mouth disease, pigs that contain omega 3 fatty acids and the same type of fast-growing salmon, it's likely inevitable that the U.S. will eventually approve a genetically altered animal for human consumption so it doesn't fall behind—it's just a matter of when.
From the article:
... “I have no doubt the FDA will approve a genetically modified animal at some point,” says Kakha Bendukidze, the largest shareholder in AquaBounty Technologies, a Boston-area biotech company that wants to bring its genetically altered AquAdvantage Salmon to American dinner tables and supermarkets. “Whether it’s this fish or some other animal, it has to do this, or it risks America losing its biotechnology edge to countries like China.” ...
