Beijing, Dec. 27 — In a major development for biotechnology, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that a genetically modified salmon is set to become the first genetically engineered animal approved for human consumption. This breakthrough comes after years of research and regulatory scrutiny, marking a significant milestone in the field of genetic engineering.
According to the FDA's draft environmental assessment, the genetically modified salmon poses no foreseeable risk to the environment. Following a 60-day public comment period, the agency is expected to finalize its evaluation and approve the sale of the fish by AquaBounty, a Massachusetts-based company. However, the draft was released on May 4, raising concerns about potential delays, with some speculating that political factors may be involved, especially given the timing around an election year.
An FDA spokesperson declined to comment on whether the process had been politicized but acknowledged that additional studies might be required after the public review. Despite the delay, AquaBounty’s CEO, Ron Stotish, expressed surprise at the latest decision, noting that the company has been seeking approval since 1995. The FDA has reviewed over 50 safety studies, including one showing that the transgenic salmon is no more likely to cause allergic reactions than wild salmon.
The genetically modified salmon contains a growth hormone gene from the Chinook salmon, allowing it to reach market size in just 18 months — nearly twice as fast as its wild counterpart. While this innovation could reduce production costs and improve efficiency, it has sparked strong opposition from consumer and environmental groups.
Critics argue that more independent research is needed to fully assess long-term health risks and that studies should be published in peer-reviewed journals. They also demand that researchers remain unaffiliated with AquaBounty. However, funding for such research remains uncertain, as federal support for genetically engineered animals is limited.
Currently, the transgenic salmon are raised in land-based, closed containment systems to prevent interbreeding with wild populations. Still, opponents fear that if approved, companies may shift to open-sea farming to cut costs, potentially threatening native salmon stocks.
AquaBounty has pledged not to sell its fish to farms without inland, closed-pool systems. Despite spending $60 million and 17 years on the project, Stotish remains cautious. “We haven’t been stupid enough to think the process would suddenly become smooth,†he said.
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