FDA Close to Giving OK to Genetically Engineered Sterile Salmon

FDA Close to Giving OK to Genetically Engineered Sterile Salmon – For Human Consumption

One gene is a growth hormone gene from Chinook salmon, and the other is a gene from the pout fish that turns the growth hormone gene on. So what does all this do? It keeps the salmon growing even when it gets cold. The FDA has not shared any information publicly yet. The fish will be able to be marketed faster instead of waiting 3 years by cutting back the time to 16-18 months, almost in half here.

All the fish will be sterile so no reproduction to mix with regular salmon in the wild. Five of the seven data sets have been approved by the FDA and if approved in full it would be 2-3 years before the fish would be appearing in grocery stores.

Who does stand to benefit here, a salmon company called AquaBounty Technologies. I don’t like salmon myself much so not too much that concerns me here but I’m sure there’s many questions to still be resolved. BD

WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Salmon genetically engineered to grow twice the normal rate could end up on dinner plates if U.S. regulators give the go-ahead, The New York Times reported.

The salmon would become the first genetically engineered animal approved for human consumption, capping a decade-long effort by the fast-growing fish's developer, the Times said.