Saturday, September 04, 2010

Genetically Engineered "Monster" Salmon Safe To Eat, Says FDA

"Food from the salmon “is as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon,” the F.D.A. said in its analysis, which was posted1 on its Web site Friday. “There is a reasonable certainty of no harm from consumption of food from this animal.”
- Modified Salmon Is Safe, F.D.A. Says, NYT, Sept 3 2010
How Monster Salmon Are Engineered
"The AquAdvantage Atlantic salmon contains a growth hormone gene from the Chinook salmon that is kept active all year round by a genetic on-switch from a different fish, the ocean pout.

Normally, salmon produce growth hormone only in warm weather. So with the hormone produced year round, the AquAdvantage salmon grow faster.

One issue that might attract some discussion ... The engineered salmon have slightly higher levels of insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone related to growth hormone. Some studies suggest that high levels of IGF-1 ... are associated with greater cancer risk."
Will you eat it?
I take that back. I suppose we won't know we're eating it because it won't be labeled.
________
1 BRIEFING PACKET, FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, Advisory Committee, Re: AquAdvantage Salmon, September 20, 2010
Photo from NYTs article: "A salmon genetically engineered to grow faster and an unmodified salmon of the same age."

3 comments:

anrosh said...

if the F.D.A says it is safe ! i am going to take it with a pinch of salt. F.D.A is reputed for their bad rap since a few years now - thanks to the kickbacks and redefining the word "safe"

Margaret said...

IGF-1 is a growth factor for my type of cancer, multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow).
Case closed!

Bix said...

Margaret, I hear you. IGF-1 in milk from cows given genetically engineered growth hormone was an argument for, if not taking it off shelves, at least labeling it. So certain populations could opt out if they wished.

I don't think there's going to be labeling of salmon here. From CNN this morning:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/09/20/genetic.engineered.salmon.hearing/?hpt=T2

"The FDA in an analysis dated Monday, wrote:
"We therefore conclude the food from AquAdvantage Salmon that is the subject of this application is as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon and that there is a reasonable certainty of no harm from the consumption of food from this animal." "


This wave is too big.