In a landmark announcement today that U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first genetically modified animal for human consumption inside these United States. An application to have the genetically modified AquAdvantage Salmon approved for this purpose was filed back in 1996, the fish can reach the same size as a conventional salmon in half the time, and some 19 years later the approval has been granted by the FDA.
Even though approval has been granted the FDA has said that the genetically modified fish can only be raised in “land-based, contained hatchery tanks in two specific facilities in Canada and Panama.” If the fish are bred or farmed outside of those two facilities then they can’t be sold in the U.S. It has not allowed the breeding or farming of this fish in the country.
Bernadette Dunham, director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine said in an announcement that the agency has thoroughly analyzed and evaluated the data and information provided by AquaBounty Technology about the AquAdvantage Salmon. “They have met the regulatory requirements for approval, including that food from the fish is safe to eat,” she said.
FDA will also be providing guidance documents that will help food producers label products made from this genetically modified salmon but the guidelines will be voluntary. The agency is taking public comments starting November 23rd pertaining to labeling requirements.
One crucial thing that the announcement did not address is when this fish will be available for consumers in the country. Guess we’ll have to wait and see when that happens.