Posts Tagged "genetically engineered fish"

Frankenfish Is Swimming Its Way to Your Dinner Plate (Unless It’s Stopped)

Posted on Jan 22, 2013 in Clean Eating, GMO, Health & Wellness | 1 comment

Photo credit: AquaBounty

Photo credit: AquaBounty

I learned about AquaBounty‘s genetically engineered (GE) salmon a couple months ago and was alarmed to find out that the FDA may approve it and that the first man-made animal (salmon in this case) could wind up on our dinner plates. Given all the problems with genetically modified organism (GMO or GM) and GE foods and the health risks and damage that GM/GE foods have already done, it concerns me that the FDA continues to allow GM/GE foods in our already “dirty” food supply.

To make matters worse, if AquaBounty’s “frankenfish” GE salmon makes it to our grocer’s fish counter, we won’t even know it because, as of this writing, there are no federal laws requiring the labeling of GM/GE foods (your only defense is to buy organic foods and wild-caught fish).

In November 2012, the voters of California had the opportunity to require GMO labeling, but the campaign budget against Prop 37, which was backed by companies such as Monsanto, far outweighed the budget in support of Prop 37 and the proposition failed to pass. California voters were wooed by slick advertising and duped into thinking Prop 37 was a bad thing. How can protecting your health and a right to know be a bad thing? Sure, higher prices, but health is far more important than money!

I understand one of the arguments for GM/GE foods, which is there isn’t enough food to meet the growing demand to feed everyone and with a growing population it’s bound to get worse. Of course, population control is another matter all in of itself and one that needs to be addressed on a global scale in order to control and slow population growth, but I don’t want to digress into that problem. Let’s stick with the one on hand — Frankenfish!

I’m very concerned about the health impact of GE salmon. We already know that Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller and GM corn can cause breast cancer and organ damage. There’s a host of other studies that show the negative health impact of GM/GE foods; and researchers, scientists and food advocates have been speaking up on the dangers and side effects of GMOs. Yet, our grocery store shelves are full of GM/GE foods.

The FDA is accepting public comment through February 25, 2013 on AquaBounty’s GE salmon (docket number FDA-2011-N-0899-0002). You can submit a comment at: www.regulations.gov.

To learn more about AquaBounty’s GE salmon and the FDA’s pending approval, read “Are You Ready for Frankenfish?”

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