Nov. 5, 2010 /EIN Presswire/ – – Contrary to claims for it, an experimental, genetically-engineered salmon will be more expensive to produce than claimed and problematic for the environment, fishing communities and consumers, the non-profit consumer group Food and Water Watch Europe says in a report issued today
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering approval of the product, which is produced by a private company, AquaBounty.
In its report, “GE Salmon Will Not Feed The World,” the consumer group said, “Since GE salmon can require large amounts of food, display deformities and likely have higher oxygen demands, they can be costly to produce. These projected costs, combined with the various potential human health and ecological concerns associated with GE fish, will not likely add up to a more financially advantageous product for growers or consumers.”
Concerns have been raised in Europe that release of the genetically engineered salmon could alter the nature of wild Atlantic salmon and farmed salmon.
The report questions whether farmed salmon in general is as nutritious or safe as wild salmon. Farmed salmon contain on average 35 percent fewer omega-3 fatty acids. Genetically engineered salmon are known to have higher levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, which has been associated with increased risk of certain types of cancer.
The full report can be found at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/world/europe/factsheets/ge-salmon-will-not-feed-the-world-europe/
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