More Revelations of FDA Bad Behavior Around GE salmon

Summary:

The FDA is pushing for a new type of genetically engineered salmon to be approved for human consumption. However, marine experts are trying to prevent this from happening. While the FDA claims that the potential risks of producing these fish are so unlikely that they do not even matter, many experts counter that the slim chance of these risks is insignificant because they could have devastating results. They say that if these genetically modified fish escape into the wild they could breed with natural fish and create a huge environmental disturbance. The FDA argues that the fish are sterilized so they are not a potential threat to the environment because even if they escape they are unable to reproduce. There is a flaw in this though, claims many experts. They say that three percent of the fish are still fertile even after the sterilization. There is always a slim chance that the small fraction of fish that are still fertile could escape and mate with wild fish. The FDA insists that the benefits of these fish outweigh the possible risks, and are hoping to have the them approved for sale very soon. This picture shows a place where fish are grown for the reason of human consumption. This is obviously an unacceptable way of growing geneticalley engineered fish and different methods will need to be used for them.

Reflection:

I personally am for the use of GMOs. I agree with the FDA that their potential positive effects outweigh the negatives. However, I think that there should be strict laws put in place about how and where these plants and animals are allowed to be grown. If many precautions are taken then there should be no way for the fish to escape into the wild. I think there should be laws about how close to bodies of water they are allowed to grow the fish, and they should be grown in labs or indoors somewhere. This exact topic was discussed in our GMO packet. This article was just a more in depth look at all of the different pros and cons of the situation. I think it is important to be informed about this topic because we might be given the choice whether to purchase these genetically modified fish in stores sometime in the near future.

Questions:

1. Do you side with the FDA or Marine activists? Why?
2. What other ways can the FDA ensure that genetically modified fish do not escape into the wild?
3. Do you agree that it is important to be informed about this topic? Why or why not?
4. Would you buy genetically modified salmon if they were sold in stores? Why or why not?
5. What do you think the situation with genetic modification will be like in a decade?

Information:

Title- More revelations of FDA bad behavior around GE salmon

Author- Tom Laskawy

Date- November 16, 2010

URL- http://www.grist.org/article/food-2010-11-16-fda-bad-behavor-over-ge-salmon