FDA Declares Bio-Engineered Fish Safe

(NewsCore) - Genetically engineered salmon, declared Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be safe for human consumption, may be coming to your table soon.

The FDA released the findings of a preliminary analysis of the fish, which is genetically altered to grow twice as fast as salmon born in the wild. The U.S. regulator found no ’biologically relevant differences’ between the genetically engineered fish and wild fish. Both types of fish contain similar nutritional elements including vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, said the FDA.

It also declared there was not likely to be any effect on the environment because the company has created safeguards to keep them from escaping from their facilities. Furthermore, the bio-engineered fish are sterile, according to the FDA.

Friday’s findings do not mean that FDA will ultimately approve the sale of the fish, which was developed by a small Massachusetts biotechnology company called Aqua Bounty Technologies. It has scheduled a three-day meeting on the fish’s future beginning on Sept. 19.

If it is approved, it will be the first genetically altered animal approved by the FDA as a food source.

Numerous food safety experts and environmental groups oppose introducing modified meats into the food chain. There is little information on the long-term health effects of eating bio-engineered animals. They also believe that as more altered animals are approved there is the risk they will escape, producing problems for non-engineered animals.

Aqua Bounty has also developed genetically modified trout and tilapia. Other companies have applied to the FDA for approval of altered animals. One has developed a pig that was given mouse proteins that makes their manure more environmentally-friendly. Another has created a cow that it says is resistant to mad cow disease.