Did Genetically Modified Salmon Eat Natural Salmon? Examining the Facts

Genetically modified (GM) salmon, specifically the AquAdvantage Salmon created by AquaBounty Technologies, has been a controversial topic since its approval for human consumption by the FDA in 2015. This genetically engineered Atlantic salmon contains DNA from Chinook salmon and ocean pout to promote faster growth As the first GM animal approved for human consumption, concerns have been raised about its impact on animal welfare, the environment, and human health A common question that arises is whether GM salmon eat or harm natural salmon populations. Let’s examine the facts.

How is GM Salmon Created?

AquAdvantage Salmon contains the following genetic modifications

  • A growth hormone gene from Chinook salmon to promote faster growth This allows GM salmon to reach market size in 16-18 months rather than the typical 3 years

  • A promoter sequence from ocean pout to keep the Chinook growth hormone gene turned on and continuously producing growth hormone.

  • The modifications occur at the animal’s egg stage using microinjection technology. No natural salmon genomes are altered in the process.

To make GM salmon, genes from Chinook salmon and ocean pout are added, but natural salmon are not eaten or their genes are changed directly.

Containment of GM Salmon

A big worry is that GM salmon might get out and interact with wild salmon populations. AquaBounty utilizes several forms of containment to prevent this at their production facilities:

Physical Containment

GM salmon eggs are produced and fish raised at land-based facilities, not in ocean net pens. These facilities have multiple redundant physical barriers including:

  • Screens, nets, grates over pipes and drains to prevent escape
  • Tank covers and nets to prevent fish jumping out
  • Sterilization of drain water to kill escaped fish

Additionally, strict biosecurity measures are in place including video surveillance, alarms, 24/7 staffing.

Biological Containment

GM salmon are triploid, meaning they have three sets of chromosomes, making them sterile. They are also all-female, preventing reproduction if they did escape.

Geographic Containment

Facilities are located away from natural salmon populations. Local environments are inhospitable to survival and establishment of Atlantic salmon.

The combination of these containment measures makes interactions between GM and natural salmon highly unlikely according to environmental assessments.

Do GM Salmon Harm Animal Welfare?

Concerns have been raised that genetic modifications and aquaculture conditions harm the welfare of GM salmon. However, data does not indicate GM salmon experience additional pain or health issues compared to non-GM farmed salmon:

  • FDA concluded the modifications are safe for fish health based on data reviews
  • Independent studies found no difference in health/deformity rates between GM and non-GM salmon raised under aquaculture conditions
  • Alleged welfare issues like premature death and deformities also occur in non-GM farmed fish and are tied to aquaculture practices rather than GM technology specifically

There are certainly welfare concerns around industrial aquaculture as a whole. But the direct impact of genetic modifications appears low. Further independent research on GM salmon welfare would help provide more definitive conclusions.

Do GM Salmon Impact the Environment?

Beyond direct interactions between GM and wild salmon, some broader environmental concerns around GM salmon include:

  • Escape risk – The multiple containment measures make escape very unlikely, but consequences could be ecologically damaging if it did occur. Ongoing vigilance around containment is warranted.

  • Increased industrial aquaculture – GM salmon could expand and further pollute/strain ocean resources if regulation is inadequate.

  • Lack of labeling – Not disclosing GM salmon as GM deprives consumers of information that could influence market dynamics.

Overall the FDA determined GM salmon would have no significant environmental impact if properly contained. But care must be taken to prevent escape events and over expansion of GM salmon production.

Is Eating GM Salmon Safe?

According to FDA safety assessments, consumption of GM salmon does not pose elevated risks compared to non-GM salmon. However, some concerns persist around:

  • Allergenicity – Conflicting data exists and sample sizes were small in safety studies. People with salmon allergies should exercise caution.

  • Hormone levels – Higher growth hormone levels could theoretically impact cancer risks in humans, but no studies confirm this.

  • Nutritional content – GM salmon may have slightly lower omega-3 levels due to rapid growth.

While not necessarily unsafe, many argue that the human health impacts are not fully characterized. Strict monitoring and further research is needed, especially for vulnerable populations. Consumers also deserve clearly labelled products to make their own informed choices.

The Takeaway

What are your thoughts on GM salmon? I welcome perspectives in the comments! While new technologies like genetic engineering can provide benefits, we must thoroughly evaluate the risks and tradeoffs. Together through open discussion and science, we can develop ethical ways to feed a growing population while protecting our planet.

did genetically modified salmon eat natural salmon

What did the FDA consider to be the potential environmental impacts?

Following the guidelines of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the FDA looked at what might happen to the US environment if the application for AquAdvantage Salmon was approved. Specifically, the FDA asked the following four questions:

  • How likely is it that AquAdvantage Salmon will get out of where they are being kept?
  • How likely is it that AquAdvantage Salmon will live and spread out if they get out of their confinement?
  • How likely is it that AquAdvantage Salmon will have babies and start a family if they get out of their confinement?
  • What are some things that might happen to the environment in the United States if AquAdvantage Salmon get out of their confinement?

AquaBounty Technologies suggested several ways to keep the salmon physically and biologically contained in the main application and the supplemental applications. The FDA decided that approving the applications for AquAdvantage Salmon would not have a big effect on the environment in the United States. These conclusions come from the fact that it is very unlikely that AquAdvantage Salmon could get out of AquaBounty’s facilities, live in an ocean or waterway, and breed with wild Atlantic salmon. This is because of the physical and biological containment measures that were included in the approved applications. If they did happen, they would have an impact on the environment of the United States. Based on the final Environmental Assessment, the agency issued a final Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

The FDA also released a final Finding of No Significant Impact for the Indiana facility on April 26, 2018, after carefully reviewing the data submitted by the company. This was based on an analysis of a final Environmental Assessment. The FDA also put up an Environmental Assessment and said there would be “no significant impact” if the supplemental application for the second Canadian facility was approved.

Why did the FDA approve the AquAdvantage Salmon?

Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, FDA is required to review applications for safety and effectiveness. After a careful review of all the scientific evidence, the FDA has decided that the AquAdvantage Salmon meets the legal requirements for safety and effectiveness under the FD The rDNA construct is safe for the animal, the fish are safe for people and other animals to eat, and the sponsor’s claim that the animals would grow faster has been proven true. Because the sponsor has met these and other statutory requirements, the FDA approved the application.

The FDA has also looked into how approving the AquAdvantage Salmon application might affect the environment in the U.S. S. environment and has published its final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact.

Genetically-modified salmon approved by FDA

FAQ

What did the genetically modified salmon do to the natural salmon?

AquAdvantage Salmon is a genetically modified salmon developed by AquaBounty Technologies Inc. to promote rapid growth during early life. This was achieved by adding a growth hormone gene from the Chinook salmon to an Atlantic salmon.

Would you eat the genetically modified salmon?

Food safety evaluation As part of its review of the application, during which the agency held an open public meeting, took public comment, and released draft environmental documents for public review, the FDA determined that food from AquAdvantage Salmon is as safe to eat as food from non-GE Atlantic salmon.

Are GE salmon a threat to wild salmon?

Are GE salmon a threat to wild salmon? Yes. The risks are very real and would be irreversible. If GE salmon escape into the environment, they would threaten native species via predation or competition for limited food and space, transgenic contamination, and an increase in exotic diseases and parasites.

Is wild caught salmon genetically modified?

All genetically modified (GM) Atlantic salmon is farmed, and all Atlantic salmon is farmed salmon. There is no wild Atlantic salmon fishery because Atlantic salmon is an endangered species. All the GM salmon sold on the market will now come from one on-land “tank farm” run by the company AquaBounty in Indiana, USA.

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