These salmon are genetically modified because they carry a gene from another fish, called the ocean pout, which enables it to grow all year round, rather than just in one season. This is done by the gene triggering growth hormones all year round (also known as the promoter sequence) instead of just in the summer months. This enables them to grow continuously and therefore be twice the size and half the age, allowing them to be sold much quicker.

Many people are worried about the risk’s involved in genetic modification; Sickness, Disease, Interbreeding etc, but extensive research has shown that these fish are 100% sterile, meaning the can’t reproduce, dismissing claims that they could interbreed, creating a super “pest” fish that could wipe out salmon stocks. It has also been proven that they are slightly more resistant to diseases, and are just as safe as wild salmon.

There are many reasons Genetically Modified salmon were made, mainly to increase productivity of salmon farms, but also to reduce the strain on wild salmon stocks caused by commercial fishing. It can also help reduce strain on the economy because it is much cheaper to produce and buy.  GM salmon are also more resistant to disease, and are higher in vitamins and minerals than wild salmon, which means that because they are cheaper, more people will buy them, and being high in Omega-3, it will result in an estimated prevention of 600 to 2600 deaths in America because of the extra Omega-3.

Being Genetically Modified has not impacted on the fish’s appearance, and you would in no way be able to tell the difference between a wild salmon and a modified one other than the size.  It also is just as safe to eat and handle, while even producing a much lower rate of water pollution as it eats more, and does not have to excrete as much waste because it is all used on growing.

The main problem most people have with GM salmon is the thought of environmental impact they could cause. These problems may include interbreeding to cause a “Trojan gene”, or the possibility of creating a pest fish such as Tilapia or Carp.” If transgenic salmon do breed successfully with native fish, their novel gene will escape into the wild gene pool and destroy native salmon populations, which is the so-called “Trojan Gene” theory.” (http://www.primidi.com/2006/01/11.html)  However, these fish are 100% sterile, and therefore not able to reproduce. This is done by preventing the development of the ovaries needed to produce eggs. Make your choice.

Tristan. P