From purely a scientific standpoint, the idea is fascinating. You change a couple of genes in your run of the mill salmon and suddenly it grows twice as big as a normal salmon:

A giant leap into the unknown: GM salmon that grows and grows

The GM Atlantic salmon grows twice as fast as its wild cousin. Its genes have been artificially augmented with DNA taken from two other fish – the Pacific Chinook salmon and an eel-like species called an ocean pout (Zoarces americanus) – in order to boost the growth hormone that allows it continually to put on weight throughout the year.

But wow are there a lot of people worried about this fish. Dozens of organizations are lined up against it. And it appears that the general population is wary as well. According to this video…

If you ask the consumers of the United States, 95% want genetically modified products labeled, whether it’s the seeds already grown in the fields or the fish they hope to approve. Unfortunately the FDA is mandated with promoting the biotechnology industry, so they ignore the desires of 9 out of 10 Americans.

If the statement is true, it makes you wonder why there aren’t labels on GM foods. How often do 95% of Americans agree about anything?

These videos explain that the company that developed the fish, AquaBounty Technologies, is planning to raise these fish on land rather than in the ocean:

See also: Aquabounty.com and Elliot Entis – Aqua Bounty Technologies

If you would like to learn about land-based fish farms, here is one example:

More info:
- What are genetically modified GM foods?
- Genetically Modified Foods

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