Genetically modified salmon
Encyclopedia
Genetically modified salmon is an Atlantic salmon
, modified by adding a growth hormone
regulating gene from a Pacific Chinook salmon
and a promoter from an ocean pout
to the Atlantic's 40,000 genes. These genes enable it to eat 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.
developed advanced-hybrid salmon, trout, and tilapia designed to grow faster than traditional fish. An Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) egg, including a gene from a Chinook salmon, bearing a single copy of the stably integrated α-form of the opAFP-GHc2 gene construct at the α-locus in the EO-1α line.
AquAdvantage® Salmon (AAS) can reach market size twice as fast and reach a mature size faster than traditional salmon, but without increasing in size making them almost indistinguishable from wild salmon.
In addition to being sterile, AquaAdvantage Salmon will decrease the need for oceanic pens, and increase the viability of indoor pens to further reduce the chance of escaping into the wild.
(FDA) was continuing a review of an application to allow genetically modified salmon as the first genetically modified animal into the United States food supply. The developer submitted its first data set to the FDA in 1996 and has raised 10 generations of the animals.
Thirty-nine lawmakers wrote to the FDA requesting that it reject the application. Other groups have requested that the fish carry a label identifying its transgenic origin.
Concerns included alleged flaws in sterilization, isolation and excessive antibiotic
use.
In September 2010, an FDA advisory panel indicated that the fish was generally safe. "In conclusion, all of the data and information we reviewed ... really drive us to the conclusion that AquAdvantage salmon is Atlantic salmon, and food from AquAdvantage salmon is as safe as food from other Atlantic salmon," said Kathleen Jones of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.
produced approximately 69% of world salmon output, and over 80% of Atlantic salmon.
raised about the release of genetically modified animals include potential negative human health and environmental effects. There are concerns that the genetically modified salmon could have an adverse effect on wild salmon populations should they escape from the farms.
Aquaculture
that uses naturally-occurring salmon, mostly Atlantic salmon, cultivates the fish in net pens. In North America, this occurs mostly in coastal waters along Washington State, British Columbia
and Maine
. Ocean-cultured fish can escape and compete with native (non-Atlantic) stocks. By some estimates, 400,000 to 1 million Atlantic salmon have escaped from the 75 or so operations in British Columbia. A Purdue University
computer model showed that 60 transgenic medaka interbreeding in a population of 60,000 wild fish would leave the wild fish extinct in 40 generations.
The fish's developer proposes to address these concerns by cultivating only (99%+) sterile females at inland farms. Any escapees could not reproduce, either natively or by interbreeding with wild stocks, because they are all triploid, with three sets of chromosomes. They plan to provide farmers with eggs rather than fish.
Atlantic salmon
The Atlantic salmon is a species of fish in the family Salmonidae, which is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and in rivers that flow into the north Atlantic and the north Pacific....
, modified by adding a growth hormone
Growth hormone
Growth hormone is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration in humans and other animals. Growth hormone is a 191-amino acid, single-chain polypeptide that is synthesized, stored, and secreted by the somatotroph cells within the lateral wings of the anterior...
regulating gene from a Pacific Chinook salmon
Chinook salmon
The Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, is the largest species in the pacific salmon family. Other commonly used names for the species include King salmon, Quinnat salmon, Spring salmon and Tyee salmon...
and a promoter from an ocean pout
Ocean pout
The ocean pout is an eelpout in the family Zoarcidae. It is found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of New England and eastern Canada...
to the Atlantic's 40,000 genes. These genes enable it to eat 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.
Aqua Bounty Technologies, Inc.
AquaBounty technologiesAquaBounty technologies
AquaBounty Technologies is a biotechnology company, engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of products that improve aquaculture productivity.-Products:...
developed advanced-hybrid salmon, trout, and tilapia designed to grow faster than traditional fish. An Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) egg, including a gene from a Chinook salmon, bearing a single copy of the stably integrated α-form of the opAFP-GHc2 gene construct at the α-locus in the EO-1α line.
AquAdvantage® Salmon (AAS) can reach market size twice as fast and reach a mature size faster than traditional salmon, but without increasing in size making them almost indistinguishable from wild salmon.
In addition to being sterile, AquaAdvantage Salmon will decrease the need for oceanic pens, and increase the viability of indoor pens to further reduce the chance of escaping into the wild.
United States review
As of August, 2010, the Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
(FDA) was continuing a review of an application to allow genetically modified salmon as the first genetically modified animal into the United States food supply. The developer submitted its first data set to the FDA in 1996 and has raised 10 generations of the animals.
Thirty-nine lawmakers wrote to the FDA requesting that it reject the application. Other groups have requested that the fish carry a label identifying its transgenic origin.
Concerns included alleged flaws in sterilization, isolation and excessive antibiotic
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
use.
In September 2010, an FDA advisory panel indicated that the fish was generally safe. "In conclusion, all of the data and information we reviewed ... really drive us to the conclusion that AquAdvantage salmon is Atlantic salmon, and food from AquAdvantage salmon is as safe as food from other Atlantic salmon," said Kathleen Jones of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.
Aquaculture
Commercial aquaculture is the most rapidly growing segment of the agricultural industry, accounting for more than $60B sales in 2003. While land-based agriculture is increasing between 2% to 3% per year, aquaculture has been growing at an average rate of approximately 9% per year since 1970." The UN expects the consumption of farmed fish to outpace global beef consumption by nearly 10% within five years, according to the UN. As of 2007, Salmon aquacultureAquaculture of salmon
Salmon, along with carp, are the two most important fish groups in aquaculture. In 2007, the aquaculture of salmon and salmon trout was worth US$10.7 billion. The most commonly farmed salmon is the Atlantic salmon. Other commonly farmed fish groups include tilapia, catfish, sea bass, bream and...
produced approximately 69% of world salmon output, and over 80% of Atlantic salmon.
Concerns
ConcernsGenetically modified food controversies
The genetically modified foods controversy is a dispute over the relative advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified food crops and other uses of genetically-modified organisms in food production. The dispute involves biotechnology companies, governmental regulators, non-governmental...
raised about the release of genetically modified animals include potential negative human health and environmental effects. There are concerns that the genetically modified salmon could have an adverse effect on wild salmon populations should they escape from the farms.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture
Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the...
that uses naturally-occurring salmon, mostly Atlantic salmon, cultivates the fish in net pens. In North America, this occurs mostly in coastal waters along Washington State, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
and Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. Ocean-cultured fish can escape and compete with native (non-Atlantic) stocks. By some estimates, 400,000 to 1 million Atlantic salmon have escaped from the 75 or so operations in British Columbia. A Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
computer model showed that 60 transgenic medaka interbreeding in a population of 60,000 wild fish would leave the wild fish extinct in 40 generations.
The fish's developer proposes to address these concerns by cultivating only (99%+) sterile females at inland farms. Any escapees could not reproduce, either natively or by interbreeding with wild stocks, because they are all triploid, with three sets of chromosomes. They plan to provide farmers with eggs rather than fish.