Could GM Salmon be the first Animal Commercialized for Human Consumption?</

GM Salmon Expected to Receive U.S. FDA Approval

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

 A company that has developed genetically engineered salmon – AquaBounty Technology Inc. is expecting regulatory approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this year.

The FDA said that the public comment period will close on Friday [April 26th], once the comments are in - it is expected to take 30 to 60 days to review the comments. It could take another 120 days upon review for the FDA to release its decision to either approve or deny the application.

The salmon eggs are engineered to grow fish to market size in half the time of conventional salmon. If approved, GM salmon will be the first animal commercialized for human consumption. Some consumer advocacy groups say that if the application is approved it could destroy the natural salmon population and could pose health risks to humans who eat it.

The approval not only has implications for the U.S., but has a Canadian twist as well. One of the company’s facilities is located in Bay Fortune, P.E.I. Groups who are opposed to the fast-growing salmon have met with P.E.I. politicians urging them to write the FDA to study the impacts of allowing these fish to be farmed.