If, as the saying goes, you are what you eat, you might want to be careful if you eat (are) salmon. In September, the Food and Drug Administration gathered an advisory panel to determine whether a genetically modified breed of salmon is suitable for consumption. While it could take a few months for the panel to reach a decision, this story is a perfect example of the large role bioengineering plays in the food we eat every day. It’s worthwhile to consider the implication of this technology on our health and our environment.
The fish, designed by AquaBounty Technologies, Inc., grows at twice the rate of a normal Atlantic salmon. According to a June 25 New York Times article, the fish has been engineered with two types of growth hormones, which enable it to reach full size in a year and a half instead of three years.
On the surface, genetically modified foods like this salmon seem like a good idea. Over-industrialization has vastly depleted the United States’ salmon population, and, as a result, most domestically produced fish are grown at industrial fish farms. The United States also imports over a billion dollars in salmon, according to a Reuters article. These imports come from countries such as China, Vietnam, and Ecuador.
Unfortunately, much is still unknown about the how the consumption of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) affects humans. Since the science behind GMOs is relatively new, it may take years to learn about the adverse effects of eating these foods. This was the case with the pesticide DDT, which was in heavy use until it was found to accumulate in fish at doses harmful to humans. Allergies are also a major concern. According to the Consumers Union, AquaBounty has not conducted enough tests on this salmon to determine if it is actually safe to eat. The Consumers Union said in a statement that it is “particularly concerned that this salmon may pose an increased risk in…life-threatening allergic reactions to sensitive individuals.”
The Union of Concerned Scientists, which has also expressed its disappointment with AquaBounty, says that there has been little opportunity for public input on the subject. Even when there are opportunities for public dialogue, many have said that there is often not enough time to analyze the data presented. In this case, the public was given just two weeks to review the data, although AquaBounty submitted their request for approval of the salmon ten years ago.
AquaBounty claims that they only manufacture fish eggs, and thus have no control over how the salmon are raised. However, it is quite likely that the salmon will be raised on industrial fish farms. This raises the larger issue of the dangers of this type of farming. These “farms” are similar to feedlots for pigs or cattle. In these feedlots, animals are kept in small, confined spaces and must be vaccinated against the diseases that breed rampantly in such close quarters. This practice also releases tons of fish waste into the ocean, where it disrupts the natural environment and makes it harder for other species to survive.
Even though it could take years before the AquaBounty salmon is available in stores, consumers may not be able to tell the difference between this salmon and regular salmon. The government has long been opposed to labeling GMO foods unless there is something that makes the products noticeably different from non-genetically-engineered food, such as its nutritional value.
Many genetically modified foods are already present in our diets, such as high-fructose corn syrup. The companies that produce these foods are extremely powerful corporations capable of dominating entire markets and forcing smaller, more environmentally-conscious farms out of business.
If you are what you eat, make sure you eat well. You have a choice when it comes to what you decide to consume. In the long run, GMOs are potentially very harmful not just to environmental and genetic diversity, but also to ourselves.
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