A highly controversial project, headed up by the biotechnology
company AquaBounty Technologies Inc., recently faced an FDA
panel for review as to whether AquaBounty’s genetically modified
(GM) fish could be sold for human consumption. The FDA panel
sided with consumer advocates and ruled that the data provided
by AquaBounty Technologies contained insufficient evidence as to
whether or not the super-sized salmon harbors the potential for
harm. AquAdvantage Salmon, the ‘Frankenfish’ developed by
AquaBounty Technologies, is an advanced-hybrid fish genetically
modified to reduce the growing cycle. Growth-hormone genes from
king (Chinook) salmon are inserted into the fertilized eggs of
Atlantic Salmon, along with AFP genes from the eel-like Ocean
Pout, that allows for the growth hormone to remain active during
the summer and the winter. The combination of these genes allow
the GM fish to reach maturity twice as fast as natural Atlantic
Salmon. (18 months versus three years) AquaBounty claims that
their fish is rep