Genetically Modified Fish For Consumption - 1283 Words

By a broad definition, â€Å"genetic modification† refers to changes in an organism’s genetic makeup that does not occur in nature. This process can be used to replicate the DNA of one organism to make the DNA of another organism similar to the original. Genetic engineering techniques could be used for numerous reasons including research, agricultural purposes, biotechnology and medicine. Salmon is a very popular fish and is consumed by many groups of people in the United States. The new salmon is said to grow at a faster rate than the native species. Ultimately, it presents a closer way for the fish to find its way onto your plate for dinner. Today, we are caught between the ability to release these new genetically modified fish for†¦show more content†¦The new salmon is said to be more nutritional and even be fit to taste better than the regular salmon. The process is very simple compared to modifying other plants or animals. â€Å"Fish eggs, on the other hand, are large and readily accessible—deposited by thousands in the open water† (Fischetti). This makes it severely simple to perform a replication of the gene cell. Farm raised Atlantic salmon just might become the first genetically engineered animal to be eaten by people. Some scientists say that the new gene inserted in the salmon make it mature in 18 months instead of three years. In this way, the FDA will then have to decide if this fish is safe to eat. Opponents would argue that if this fish was approved it would escape and establish in the wild, but Ron Stotish, CEO of AquaBounty, begs to differ. He states that there â€Å"is no virtual escape and interaction with wild populations† . Since the fish eggs will be sterile and all female there is no chance of reproduction. The fish will be raised in a tank and not at sea. Over seventeen years ago, AquaBounty Technologies Inc. first applied to the FDA for approval of a genetically engineered Atlantic sal mon. In 2009, AquaBounty submitted to the FDA the last required study for their new animal drug (NAD) application. The fish will be raised in a tank and not at sea. Even though the FDA is ready to put the salmon on the market, many scientists and researchers argue that it needs to be more thoroughly investigated.