Genetically Modified Salmon: Pros And Cons

One of the most commonly shared beliefs about aquaculture is that it has potential to amplify and transfer disease/parasites to wild fish populations, but strict management practices and guidelines have been utilized and supplemented to ensure that US farming operations mitigate current and potential environmental risks associated with aquaculture (NOAA, 2015). Among these practices are regular diver-led inspections to investigate the integrity of nets and net infrastructure, surveillance cameras and even public webcam feeds that monitor the fish farms and in particular monitor efficient use of feed, regular health inspections in efforts to have a head start on disease prevention and detection, and “comprehensive sanitary and biosecurity programs to prevent the introduction and/or spread of pests or diseases from one farm site/cage to another or into the environment.” (NOAA, 2015). Additionally, movements are being made to stop the spreading of disease and to limit oceanic pollution by containing salmon in solid tanks rather than in netting. “In Washington State, Domsea Farms has launched a land-based, freshwater system to produce coho salmon.” (David Suzuki Foundation, n.d.) This method is not only environmentally sound, but it opens up aquacultural boundaries. By containing fish in these large tanks, there is potential for salmon aquaculture to

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a commercial selling and consuming of the first GM animal, a salmon fish. However, instead of taking this news favorably, the U.S retailers refuse to sell it in their stores. One of these retailers is Costco, the second-largest warehouse retailer in the world.

The public has grown intimidated by GMO’s and have come up with a myth of how harmful these modifications are to humans. It’s been seen in documentaries, and heard through advertisements but where did it all come from? The fear of eating something naturally made then transformed to fit societies need created the myth: GMOs are bad for people. With this mindset, people will willingly reject foods after they find out it has been “modified”.

Ever since their entrance onto the consumer market in the last two decades of the twentieth century, genetically modified organisms (often referred to as GMOs) have been getting mixed reviews from the public. Genetically modified consumer products (primarily food) have pushed the barriers of some people's comfort levels. Born out of either a lack of knowledge or a sincere concern for public health or the environment, a consumer rights movement has been planted around the world pushing for labeling of genetically modified food products. This movement has matured in many places to a degree where interest groups have successfully lobbied governments into adopting criteria for labeling transgenic food

The FDA does not require companies in the food industry to provide any labeling for their product if it contains GMOs. Many of the scientists that support genetic engineering claim that GM foods are safe for human consumption. But the practice of genetically engineering an organism in a lab to possess certain qualities is far from natural. There are several reasons that scientists are working to genetically engineer many plant and animal species. Scientists claim that they are genetically engineering many animals so that they have pharmacological qualities that may benefit human health. (Food-borne illnesses) There is a risk of transferring a disease from animals to humans. Much like the problems with using antibiotics in animals, engineering an animal to be resistant to certain viruses could result in super bugs or more antibiotic resistant viruses. Some animals are being genetically engineered so that they are better for marketing. Chickens, for example, are being engineered to grow larger breast. Cattle are being modified so that they grow faster and are even engineered so that they produce less pollution; supposedly a plus for the environment. Certain species of fish, such as salmon, are being engineered so that they produce more of the healthy fat, omega-3. This may seem innocuous enough, but these animals are being genetically engineered in ways that would primarily benefit the farmers and

Dr. Praphul Joshi 10/23/2013 Controversial Public Health Issue There are several controversial issues confronting us today; from Universal Healthcare (Obama Care) to Stem Cell research, to vaccinations, to genetically engineered (GE)/genetically modified (GM) foods. However, I shall look at genetically modified foods as the controversial issue for this article. I shall look at an article from the mass media about this controversial public health issue and place emphasis on the message the document wants to convey and address any biases that may be within. In addition, I shall provide additional data or facts from another article to see if it supports or refutes the controversial message. It is my intention that this article will provide some clarity on genetically modified foods confronting us in the United States and the world over. Since the successful cloning of Dolly, the sheep, in July 5, 1996, Biotechnology has been praised and castigated at the same time.

As of now, the US Food and Drug administration is debating on whether or not to let genetically modified salmon made by a biotech company in Massachusetts be marketed. Many consumers are demanding that if it be approved it must be labelled. However, scientific studies show how there is no noticeable difference between the genetically engineered salmon and the wild salmon, yet labelling it may imply to the consumers that there is, therefore it would only scare away buyers. “The FDA's own rules say that once it is determined that a genetically modified food is not ‘materially significant’ from naturally derived products,

There is a current discussion on whether we should genetically modify the growth hormone gene that the Chinook salmon is naturally born with. AquAdvantage is currently working on getting their genetically engineered transgenic salmon FDA approved. Their scientists have been able to make the common Atlantic salmon be able to grow to over twice its natural size by inserting the growth hormone gene from the Chinook salmon into the Atlantic salmon, however, there are wider implications to take into consideration before making these transgenic salmon mainstream.

A genetically modified organism, GMO, has been altered by genetic engineering techniques. GMOs are widely used by scientists in many different ways to include the production of food and in research.8 Zebrafish genetically modified to be a fluorescent bright red, green and orange have been available for purchase as pets in 49 states in the United States since 2003.8 However, these patented GloFish are banned in California. The California Fish and Game Commission decided the fish were the result of a “trivial use for a powerful technology.”7 The Commission’s belief that the fish should not have been created led to a law making the GloFish illegal. Originally GloFish were developed by scientists in Singapore to be living pollution sensors as they would only glow when in the presence of pollutants.7 The Commission’s ban on GloFish highlights the controversy over genetically modified organisms and how public opinion can be swayed by the beliefs of others whether those beliefs are based on science or not. This paper will focus first on what genetic modification means and then will look at the pros and cons of genetically modified foods. Finally, the author’s opinion of the issue of GMO food will conclude the paper.

The dramatic increase of people on planet earth over the span of 5 decades has raised many questions about food production and how much is needed to sustain the rising population. Furthermore, the increased productivity of animals, specifically the growth and processing of animals is now needed more than ever in order to support the upcoming years. Moreover, the means to combat this problem is the use of genetically modified animals. Genetically modified animals can contribute to the increase of animal productivity as there have been many examples of animals which have greatly accelerated growth periods, which decreases the amount of time it takes in which an animal can be sold as a food product. Additionally this also cuts the amount of food they consume by a significant margin, further increasing their efficiency. One example of this is the AquAdvantage salmon, which has a growth hormone gene from Pacific Chinook salmon and a switch on gene from ocean pout. The AquAdvantage fish grows at twice the rate of normal Atlantic salmon due to its ability to grow all year round, and at an increased rate. Through these advantages alone, anyone can see the incredible value and importance of genetically modified animals have over normal

The consumers want to know what they are purchasing yet the manufacturers are opposed to labeling and have contributed a considerable amount of money so as to prevent such labeling from occurring (Parker, 2012). The Big 6, which consist of Monsanto, BASF, Bayer Dow, DuPont, and Syngenta, are the dominating companies in regards to genetic modification and they continue to argue and oppose the labeling of their products when sold to consumers (Parker, 2012). There are still plenty of people who would like the labeling of all foods once they are put on the market and sold to the

Many people feel that genetically modified organisms are unsafe, untested and therefore not something they want in their food or environment. I feel that without the proper studies and research we are putting ourselves in the hands of large corporations that have more of an interest in making money than offering a safe product. I feel it is important to make an informed decision when it comes to products or organisms affecting ourselves or our environment.

“More than half of U.S. consumers express concern about genetically modified organisms, but many have no idea what that means” (Goldman 115). In modern days, we find ourselves living in a “plastic society”. Everything that we see is not really what we see, it is being camouflaged. This applies greatly to social media, but people don't see it very much in food. Now more than ever, the food industry is using genetically modified seeds and chemicals. This is an unethical practice because people don't know what they are consuming, and if what they consume has negative effects on them, they should be informed.

In the last decade, a high demand for protein-rich, heart-healthy salmon has precipitated an aquaculture surge, which currently supplies seventy percent of the global salmon market (Howard, 2014). Due to consumer and environmentalist demands and the risk of spreading disease between farmed and wild populations, nationally directed aquaculture legislation has bolstered industry regulations

Consumer groups such as Consumers Union, Food and Water Watch, and Center for Food Safety have created a petition in which they are claiming that genetically modifying the salmon changes the nutritional value and alters the composition of the fish, therefore making the fish a food additive (Barret, 2012). If GM salmon are considered to be a food addictive, then the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will have to place the GM salmon under extensive testing to make sure that it is safe for consumption (Barret, 2012). Other concerns are based on the consequences of these GM fish escaping into the wild and reproducing with other non GM fish (Barret, 2010).