Possible links between fish farming, disease and the collapse of the 2009 Fraser River sockeye salmon run will be the focus at the Cohen Commission hearings this week in Vancouver.
On Wednesday, Fisheries and Oceans scientist Kristi Miller is slated to testify about her studies suggesting some sort of virus may be killing salmon before they reach the spawning grounds.
Miller's long-awaited testimony is expected to be controversial, following allegations the federal government attempted to prevent her from discussing her work with the media.
The inquiry will also hear about fish farms and their impact on wild salmon, including testimony from outspoken fish farm opponent Alexandra Morton of the Raincoast Research Society.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/08/22/bc-cohen-commission-salmon.html
Genetically Modified Salmon - Coming Soon?If the Food and Drug Administration approves AquaAdvantage salmon, it could be the first genetically modified animal product you eat. Watch more Earth Focus at
According to Aquabounty Technologies, the Massachusetts based company behind the transgenic salmon - the fish can grow to market size twice as fast as regular salmon. Industry experts say this will give consumers a healthy source of protein while reducing pressure on ocean salmon, whose stocks are already dwindling. The lack of conclusive evidence that the salmon is safe is not the only troubling thing about AquaAdvantage. While aquabounty claims the fish would be grown only inland and only sterile females will be sold, limiting any ability to reproduce, environmentalists fear that there are no guarantees and that if transgenic fish escape they would undermine the population of the already vulnerable wild salmon. Environmentalists also fear that the FDA's approval of transgenic salmon would lead to other genetically modified animals produced for human consumption.
US debates genetically modified salmon
Hearings are underway in Washington on whether to approve the sale of genetically modified salmon.
Dubbed "Frankenfish," there are concerns about whether its safe to eat them.
Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan reports.
Frankenfish: Genetically engineered salmon
Genetically engineered seeds are not breaking news; however a biotech company called AquaBounty has been working on genetically engineered salmon. The fish will be a combination of Atlantic salmon and part Ocean Pout. Jeffrey M. Smith says that it is ridiculous to evaluate the safety of this food with no long term feeding studies six and refuses to consume this genetically engineered salmon, if approved.
Genetically Modified Salmon Coming To Your Dinner Table! ALARMING!!!
Biochemist says Nutrition down due to speed growth Our Nutritional value of fruits, veggies is dwindling Chemicals that speed growth cited as reason Please read article
The FDA is going to approve genetically modified fish call them to block this.
1-800-216-7331 email consumer@fda.gov
Aol Article
by Clare Leschin-Hoar, Posted Sep 8th 2010
As we reported back in June, genetically modified Atlantic salmon are on the fast-track to your dinner plate. Massachusetts-based biotech company, AquaBounty Technologies is expected to get the final FDA nod of approval for a salmon that has been genetically tweaked to boost productivity thanks to a growth-hormone gene from a Chinook salmon and a genetic "on switch" from an ocean pout.
If approved, the salmon would be the first genetically modified animal approved for human consumption. A coalition of environmental groups, including Food & Water Watch and Center for Food Safety, say the move is alarming and are strongly urging the FDA to reject the fish.
Last week, government scientists spurred debate over genetically modifying animals for food by going on record to say the AquaBounty salmon was safe to eat and posed no threat to the environment, according to a Washington Post article.
The FDA's briefing report says scientists "have found no biologically relevant difference between [the AquaBounty salmon] and conventional Atlantic salmon based on the criteria evaluated."
On Sept. 19-21, the FDA will hold public meetings to address science-based issues surrounding the genetically modified salmon, including environmental concerns, and AquaBounty's claims that the salmon grow faster than conventionally farmed Atlantic salmon.
The safety of the fish for human consumption is not the only issue causing concern for consumer and environmental groups -- there is also hand-wringing over labeling requirements once it reaches the market, and the race to develop other genetically modified animals, including pigs and cattle.
Read more:
Frankenfish: Tampering with nature
On September 20 a debate on whether the US Food and Drug Administration should approve the first genetically engineered animal for human consumption, a fast-growing salmon, will take place. The Atlantic salmon is being developed by AquaBounty Technologies and has an extra gene that makes it grow twice as fast as normal farm-raised salmon. George Hemminger, the founder of Survive and Thrive TV, said this is a bad development for those who favor organic and raw foods. He also said he expected the FDA to approve the fish.
Genetically Modified Salmon Soon Available?
A salmon that grows at twice the normal rate is set to be the first genetically modified animal available for human consumption.
How Safe Would Genetically Modified Salmon Be to Eat?
Franken Fish: Genetically Modified Salmon For Sale
FDA Won't Allow Food Producers To Label Food GM Free
AquaBounty Technologies AquAdvantage Salmon!
AquaBounty Technologies created the AquAdvantage Salmon through genetical modifications to already fertilized salmon eggs. Only things about it different from regular Atlantic Salmon is it's infertile, grows to adult size in half the time, and it will be farmed on inland pens not open water to prevent the GM Salmon from escaping. Might just be the first genetically modified animal approved by the FDA for the consumer's market!