Genetically engineered salmon OK’d

Federal regulators approve genetically engineered salmon as fit for consumption, clearing the way for the first genetically altered animal to reach supermarkets.

Federal regulators on Thursday approved a genetically engineered salmon as fit for consumption, clearing the last major obstacle for the first genetically altered animal to reach U.S. supermarkets.

The approval by the Food and Drug Administration caps a long struggle for AquaBounty Technologies, a small company that first applied for approval in the 1990s. The agency made its initial determination that the fish would be safe to eat and for the environment more than five years ago.

The approval of the salmon has been opposed by some consumer and environmental groups, which have argued that the safety studies were inadequate and that wild salmon populations might be affected if the genetically engineered fish were to escape into the oceans and rivers.

Within hours of the agency’s decision, one consumer advocacy group, the Center for Food Safety, said it and other organizations would file a lawsuit to try to rescind the approval.

“This unfortunate, historic decision disregards the vast majority of consumers, many independent scientists, numerous members of Congress and salmon growers around the world, who have voiced strong opposition,” Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food and Water Watch, said Thursday.

The AquAdvantage salmon, as it is known, is an Atlantic salmon that has been genetically modified so that it grows to market size faster than a conventionally farmed salmon.

“The FDA has thoroughly analyzed and evaluated the data and information submitted by AquaBounty regarding the AquAdvantage salmon and determined that they have met the regulatory requirements for approval, including that food from the fish is safe to eat,” Bernadette Dunham, director of the agency’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, said.

FDA officials said Thursday that the process took so long because it was the first approval of its kind. Officials said the fish would not have to be labeled as being genetically engineered. However, it issued draft guidance as to wording that companies could use to voluntarily label the salmon.

Ronald Stotish, chief executive of AquaBounty, which is majority-owned by Intrexon Corp., declined to say what the plans were for bringing the fish to market, other than that the salmon would not be in stores immediately.