GMO food. Pros and Cons of the Genetically Engineered Salmon Fish

Pros and Cons of the Genetically Engineered Salmon Fish
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Pros and Cons of the Genetically Engineered Salmon Fish
Introduction
With all the debates regarding genetically engineered foodstuffs, the FDA in 2015 approved the AquAdvantage salmon which is a genetically modified fish. In the past, the US government had been rigid when it comes to genetically modified animals but on 19th November 2015, the American government decided to accommodate the genetically engineered salmon. While the US government had already given a green-light on several vegetable products, it was still adamant about allowing a genetically animal for human consumption. However, the decision by the FDA ended AquaBounty’s wait. Ledford notes that this decision “could also revitalize an industry that has waited a long time for any sign that its products might make it to market.” Aside from the above, one can also say that the decision also opens up the possibility of extensive harnessing of this technology. Companies are expected to make heavy leaps and ensure that this decision is only the beginning of an endless adoption of more genetically engineered animals into the food market. The above does remain largely debatable but far from it, this article seeks to delve deeper into the matter and reveal the details concerning the AquAdvantage salmon, objections on the same as well as the pros and cons.[Ledford, Heidi. “Salmon Approval Heralds Rethink of Transgenic Animals.” Nature. November 23, 2015. /news/salmon-approval-heralds-rethink-of-transgenic-animals-1.18867]
Details/Background Information
AquaBounty Technologies is the company that has been spearheading the move to have the genetically engineered salmon adopted and considered fit for human consumption. First of all, Waltz writes that this particular fish is “engineered to grow faster than its non-genetically modified counterpart, reaching market size in roughly half the time – about 18 months.” Well, the above is an advantage that further seeks to show that the genetically engineered fish is a few steps ahead of the non-genetically engineered one.[Waltz, Emily. “First Genetically Engineered Salmon Sold in Canada.” Scientific American. August 7, 2017. /article/first-genetically-engineered-salmon-sold-in-canada/]
The idea of genetically modifying a fish started in the 90s and by 1995, AquaBounty Technologies had already sent its first application to FDA to have the salmon approved. However, it took the FDA more than fifteen years to complete food-safety assessment of the fish. In 2012, the agency had also completed the environmental impact statement concerning the fish which it determined will have a negligible environmental impact especially when the preferred growing areas are the landlocked tanks which AquaBounty uses. However, environmentalists have been battling the adoption of the salmon as food but FDA’s statement made it a little easier for the fish to make its way into the food market. In Canada, for example, Waltz writes that the “genetically engineered salmon has reached the dinner table.” Apparently, AquaBounty had managed to sell 4.5 tons of the fish to its clients in Canada. She continues to say that this particular “sale marks the first time that a genetically engineered animal has been sold on the open market.” The above is quite an improvement but the US market is quite adamant and reluctant to accept the genetically engineered salmon.[Waltz]
After the FDA approved the AquaAdvantage salmon and said it was okay for it to be sold in the US. However, Martin writes that “an obscure rider attached to a budget bill by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski in December of that same year (2015) effectively blocked the FDA from allowing GE salmon into the U.S.” Apparently, this import ban is the only roadblock for the AquaAdvantage salmon. The above is an inconsistency which AquaBounty has not been able to find a solution for. However, having acquired land on a farm in Albany, Indiana, it remains to be seen whether the import ban could be lifted. If it happens, then the US will have its first genetically modified animal sold in its markets by 2019.[Martin, Richard. “Genetically Engineered Salmon May be Coming to a Store Near You.” Grist. March 9, 2018. https://grist.org/article/genetically-engineered-salmon-may-be-coming-to-a-store-near-you/]
Objections
Objections to the AquaAdvantage salmon have been consistent and whenever the topic is introduced, more are generated.
One of the objections to the AquaAdvantage is the simple but somehow worrying fact that corporations could soon have the power to create life. Natural selection was initially the way human beings tried to favor certain genetic expressions in both animals and plants. However, what AquaBounty is trying to normalize involves the exploitation of genes. Well, while AquaBounty and its counterparts would go to great lengths to assure people of the safety of their products, the fact remains that mankind now has the power to create new life and to manipulate it as he pleases.
Secondly, AquaBounty and the FDA have both reiterated that the AquaAdvantage salmon does not pose any threat to the environment. However, Robbins reports that “research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that a release of just sixty GE salmon into a wild population of 60,000 would lead to the extinction of the wild population in less than 40 fish generation.” This is quite scary and further helps to confirm that AquaAdvantage fish will indeed impact the ecosystem.[Robbins, Ocean. “Is Genetically Engineered Salmon Safe?” HuffPost. March 23, 2013. /ocean-robbins/is-genetically-engineered_b_2522547.html]
Aside from the above, there is also the notion that the genetically engineered salmon will be grown in controlled tanks. However, information from AquaBounty con...