Just as I'm hoping that things are getting better on the food front, the FDA is now considering the approval of GMO salmon. Seriously??? Farm raised salmon is bad enough, but this is insanity! I've stepped up on my soapbox before about "Frankenfood" and now it's time for me to get back up on it to bring some awareness about "Frankenfish" (GMO Salmon) in hopes providing a little push-back to the food industry and the FDA.
I know I sound like a conspiracy theorist, but cases like this make it appear that the FDA is siding with Aqua Bounty(The Biotech Co. behind "Frankenfish") instead of the consumer. Aren't they supposed to be protecting us? Hopefully, you're already only choosing "wild fish" when you shop, but just in case you were considering buying farm raised GMO salmon please take a look at these 10 reasons why the thought shouldn't even cross your mind.
1.) GMO Salmon is more carcinogenic. "Frankenfish" has 40% more IGF1 (Insulin Growth Factor 1), which is linked to breast, colon and prostate cancers in humans.
2.) The GMO part of the GMO Salmon isn't being tested. In 1992 the Bush-Quayle Administration created legal fiction that there is no risk associated (really?) with the consumption of genetically engineered plants and animals. Since then our FDA claims that DNA in organisms is generally recognized as safe, so GMO DNA is safe, too and doesn't have to be tested. That makes me feel pretty good…NOT!! How about you?
3.) GMO Salmon Aren't Animal Drugs, They're Animals. The FDA is treating these "Frankenfish" like animal drugs and not animals. These salmon are NOT being used for health purposes. In fact the exact opposite is true. These fish are freaks! They grow 3 times faster than regular fish, they have a higher mortality rate, they're deformed and they're diseased. However the FDA is using the approval guidelines for veterinary drugs which keep the companies "proprietary" information secret, while limiting public participation and downplaying food safety concerns. Who's that benefiting? Not us!
4.) If it looks like a Salmon and swims like a Salmon, the FDA says it's safe to eat. By looking at the pictures, I don't even think they look much like a real Salmon. But, the FDA's using the simple quacks like a duck comparison, instead of looking at the safety of eating genetically altered Salmon. Why aren't they looking at hormone levels, allergenic potency and nutritional values???
5.) GMO Salmon's DNA May Change Your Gut Bacteria. A human study by the UK's Food Standards Agency found that consuming GMO soy can result in "horizontal gene transfer", where the gut bacteria takes up the soy's modified DNA. Can you imagine if our digestive tracks would take up the "Frankenfish's" genes? So, the FDA's not looking into the possibility of this because???
6.) GMO Salmon is Less Nutritious than Wild Salmon. The omega-3 to omega 6 ratio is the lowest among all the Salmon in the studies that the FDA has reviewed. More than likely because they're fed crap and aren't allowed to eat the plankton and normal food that they would eat in the wild.
7.) GMO's Mess Up Fish Big Time. Farm raised fish are already freaks. Because they're confined they have increased incidence of facial deformities, screamer disease (open jaws) and multisystemic focal infections. However, these GMO Salmon are far worse off than the conventional farm raised guys because they're subjected to the physiological stress of intensive production (they grow 3 times faster).
8.) GMO Salmon is More Allergenic. "Frankenfish" have an average of 20-52% higher risk of potentially deadly allergic reactions than normal salmon.
9.) The Government Wants More Transgenic (farmed) Fish and Less Wild Fish. The biggest justification for GMO Salmon is that it could take the pressure off of the wild fish population. The biggest threat to Alaskan Salmon however, isn't the consumption of wild salmon; it's the destruction of their habitat, which is a whole other soapbox… How about passing the clean water act which would put the Kibosh on a planned disastrous open pit copper and gold Pebble Mine up in the wild salmons spawning ground in Bristol Bay.
10.) The Biggest Reason of All. The FDA Allows The GMO Salmon Company To Test Its Own Product Safety. Do you think they're going to collect unfavorable data? I can go on and on about how they don't segregate, or even collect data that's specific to these "Frankenfish".
I hope those 10 reasons have shed some light on just one of the many crazy things that's going on with our food supply. If you agree and feel as strongly about this as I do PLEASE forward this along to everyone you know and also click the links below to sign the petitions to both:
The Food Industry Click HERE.
Congress Click HERE.
Every little bit helps!