FDA Approves First GMO Animal

Two weeks ago, for the first time in history, the US Food and Drug and Administration approved AquaAdvantage salmon—a genetically modified (GM) species which gains weight much faster than wild salmon—to be raised for consumption. Due to inherent danger in GM salmon unfairly competing with wild salmon, the FDA imposed conditions that limit the production of AquaAdvantage salmon to land-locked areas on Prince Edward Island in Canada and in Panama, only then to be shipped to the United States as filets. Environmental non-profit group Center for Food Safety immediately announced it would sue the FDA in order to “stop the introduction of this dangerous contaminant.” GMOs—or organisms modfied through genetic engineering wherein cells are inserted to manipulate the expression of favorable characterists such as pesticide resistence in plants or growth enhancement in animals—are potentially dangerous in creating new allergens or toxins. The FDA’s credibility has been under scrutiny with the government organization’s recent involvement in hindering the regular business operations of Hampton Creek with claims that the vegan company’s product Just Mayo violates FDA identity standards.