Ashley
Posting Number: 2
Posting Number: 2
Topic: Technology/Science
Writer: Lyndsey Layton
Publication Name: The San Jose Mercury News
Date of Publication: Sept. 18th, 2010
Length: about 560 words
Summary: The FDA is currently under much political pressure to decide on the labeling and approving a species of genetically altered salmon for human consumption. If allowed in the American food market, AquAdvantage salmon would be the first genetically modified animal approved for human consumption. If the salmon is approved, other genetically modified animals such as cows, pigs, and other fish would be more likely to be approved as well. AquAdvantage salmon have a gene from the 'ocean pout' and growth hormones from Chinook Salmon and grows twice as fast as other salmon. However, agency scientists say they have observed no biologically relevant variations between the modified and traditional salmon. According to the FDA, they can only require labeling of a product if it is somehow different from the conventional product, such as in taste, texture, allergen, or nutritional component. Biotechnology industries say they are opposed to the idea of labeling products as they believe that the labels will confuse the average citizen who is not well educated on genetic modification. A debate will be held with a separate panels for approving the salmon and another for labeling the salmon.
Conclusion: If the FDA approves the genetically modified AquAdvantage salmon, the fish could spark a trend in American food sources. Other areas such as the European Union and Japan require labeling of genetically modified foods and there is little to no demand for such products. Consumer advocates are worried about the consumers' rights saying that people want to know such information and should have the right to know. Much of our plant based food products like corn, wheat, tomatoes are already genetically modified. However, in the future, other types of food products like meat and dairy could be as well.
This is very interesting, in my personal opinion I hope the FDA doesn't approve this. Genetic modification is unnatural, and is simply a money making scheme in my eyes, and it is completley unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, dairy products should not be genetically modified for human consumption because it’s not natural to modify food products. One major concern is that it can be a negative impact on human health that could create an unknown disease.
ReplyDeleteAs stated, genetic modification has already been around for a long time, but unnatural is not the same as 'bad'. The hormones pumped in the livestock and crops create a greater impact to health in humans, the environment, and livestock than genetic modification. But I agree that there should be a label as part of the consumer's rights.
ReplyDeleteI think that genetic modification of food organisms will be eventually necessary for our survival and that of our planet. Sure its "unnatural", but so are cars and indoor plumbing, and I don't see many people complaining about that! After all, being able to easily farm salmon will decrease our consumption of wild salmon, whose numbers are quickly dwindling.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons that the FDA is reluctant to require the labeling of such products is the fact that it may cause people to avoid the fish because of misinformation, discouraging other efforts to create GMO's for human consumption. Such efforts are necessary if we wish to create safer, less environmentally damaging foo in the future.
oops! food, not foo :)
ReplyDelete