News

GE salmon approved for sale in Canada

Genetically modified salmon has been approved for sale in Canada.

Canadian government officials say a final round of rigorous scientific reviews found that AquAdvantage Salmon is as safe and nutritious as conventional salmon. They say there will be no special labeling requirements for the product.

AquAdvantage Salmon was approved in the U.S. for human consumption last year but has since been a source of controversy. The decision is being challenged by environmental and consumer groups, as well as some politicians. An amendment to the 2017 agriculture appropriations bill approved Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee would require AquAdvantage Salmon to be labeled as a genetically engineered product. The amendment was proposed by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski.

AquAdvantage Salmon was developed by Massachusetts-based AquaBounty Technologies. The fish grow twice as fast as conventionally farmed Atlantic salmon because of the addition of genes from a Chinook salmon and an eel known as an ocean pout.