FDA says, a salmon genetically engineered to grow quickly (18-20 months vs the normal 30 months) is safe to eat and poses little risk to the environment. This means that it is very likely that this fish will be the first genetically modified animal to enter the American food supply. These two types of fish; the genetically modified and the normally grown, are both farmed Atlantic salmon, and are both in my opinion far from eating healthy and naturally.
The company, Aquabounty, has been trying for years to market this type of fish and I think they have finally succeeded. Here is the rub: FDA is responsible for making sure our fish supply is safe to eat and but do you think they have their own independent data? No, in this case they have been reviewing the data supplied by the company trying desperately to market this type of fish. The public meetings on the salmon (no, you and I the consumer are not invited) is scheduled for Sept. 19 and the final decision will come a few weeks after this meeting.
This gigantic salmon contains an active growth hormone gene from the Chinook salmon that is kept active all year by a genetic on-switch from another fish. Normally, salmon produce growth hormone only during the warm months of the year but with the hormone produced all year (under the control of the always-active gene) the salmon grow faster. The engineered salmon have higher amounts of insulin-like growth factor 1 (a hormone in the family of growth hormones) and this hormone has been linked to higher rates of certain types of cancer.
FDA is definitely one to trust, judging from their stellar control on the safety of eggs (half a million were recalled because of salmonella just a couple of weeks ago). So what can we do? Vote with your fork; don't buy this type of fish when it comes to market. Only buy wild salmon.
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