AquAdvantage salmon

A typical Atlantic salmon, the species from which AquAdvantage salmon is derived.

AquAdvantage salmon is a genetically modified (GM) Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) developed by the biotechnology company AquaBounty Technologies. This salmon is engineered to grow faster than its non-GM counterparts, reaching market size in a shorter period of time. The genetic modification involves the addition of a growth hormone-regulating gene from the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and a promoter from the ocean pout (Zoarces americanus), which allows the fish to grow year-round instead of only during the spring and summer.

Genetic Modification

The genetic modification in AquAdvantage salmon involves the insertion of a transgene construct that includes:

• A growth hormone gene from the Chinook salmon, which is responsible for the increased growth rate.
• A promoter sequence from the ocean pout, which keeps the growth hormone gene active throughout the year.

This modification enables the AquAdvantage salmon to grow to market size in about 18 months, compared to the 28 to 36 months required for conventional farmed Atlantic salmon.

Development and Approval

The development of AquAdvantage salmon began in the late 1980s, with the first genetically modified fish produced in 1989. After extensive testing and evaluation, AquaBounty Technologies submitted the salmon for approval to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995.

In 2015, the FDA approved AquAdvantage salmon for human consumption, marking it as the first genetically modified animal to be approved for food use in the United States. The approval process included rigorous assessments of the salmon's safety for human consumption, its environmental impact, and its nutritional profile.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations

The introduction of AquAdvantage salmon has raised several environmental and ethical concerns. Critics argue that the escape of GM salmon into the wild could potentially disrupt local ecosystems and threaten wild salmon populations through competition and interbreeding. To mitigate these risks, AquaBounty Technologies has implemented several containment measures, including land-based production facilities and the use of sterile, all-female fish.

Ethical concerns also focus on the welfare of the genetically modified fish and the broader implications of genetic engineering in food production. Proponents argue that AquAdvantage salmon can help meet the growing demand for seafood while reducing the environmental impact of traditional aquaculture.

Related Pages

• Genetically modified organism
• Aquaculture
• Biotechnology
• Food and Drug Administration
• Chinook salmon
• Ocean pout