Frankenfish

[troutfiend1985]

This article is talking about a genetically engineered Salmon that is capable of growing twice as fast as wild salmon. I guess a company is trying to get this type of fish approved by the FDA for food consumption. The company says that there is a low risk for escape of these genetically engineered fish, but I believe that most people thought that silver carp where the same way (and now they're flinging themselves at boaters on our rivers and kicking out native fish). Cheers

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39265727/ns/health-food_safety/?gt1=43001

[Buzz]

I read about that online this morning and saw it on the evening news. Most people were more worried about eating these genetically enhanced/modified fish than anything. I don't see the problem. We have been eating genetically enhanced/modified foods for a whole lot of years now,for instance there are too many vegetables to mention. The way I figure, we will have to either embrace this science or starve. Besides, there are some big Browns and Rainbows out there already setting records that were born in test tubes.

Just my 2 cents.

[riverrat09]

They'll be safe to eat. just like buzz said we've been eating GMO's (genetically modified Organisms) for awhile now.

I feel that it's just a matter of rather or not we feel that scientist should be allowed to modify the genes of these animals.

[Outside Bend]

I read about that online this morning and saw it on the evening news. Most people were more worried about eating these genetically enhanced/modified fish than anything. I don't see the problem. We have been eating genetically enhanced/modified foods for a whole lot of years now,for instance there are too many vegetables to mention. The way I figure, we will have to either embrace this science or starve. Besides, there are some big Browns and Rainbows out there already setting records that were born in test tubes.

Just my 2 cents.

To me there's a big difference between selective breeding and the genetic modifications they're discussing in the article- they're not even talking about hybrid vigor- they're discussing putting the genes of an unrelated species into another animal.

Personally I don't buy the "do it or we'll starve," argument; I've yet to see starving people who could afford fresh salmon, and if these folks were genuinely worried about human welfare, other fishes are far easier to culture. It's a matter of economics- salmon producers want a way to produce the same poundage of fish using less inputs (food), thereby increasing profits. Genetic modification is their solution.

If they can alter their genes as to be completely, 100% foolproof sterile, I'd have no problem with their culture. Then again, we've heard folks make those claims before.

Anything less than that I don't want to gamble with.

[troutfiend1985]

I'm not so worried about the human consumption aspect of this, I'm more worried that this may harm the Atlantic Salmon population if the fish escape. Fish do escape, flooding cannot be controlled and I think the only safe way to do this would be to put the pools in areas in which Salmon cannot survive if they escaped. They're not even planning on making these 100% sterile, they have to have some breeders or the economics of this plan won't work.

Again, I think the issue here is not whether these fish would be safe for human consumption, but rather would these fish pose a threat to the wild Atlantic Salmon population if these fish excaped.

[Indiana Trout]

I'm not so worried about the human consumption aspect of this, I'm more worried that this may harm the Atlantic Salmon population if the fish escape. Fish do escape, flooding cannot be controlled and I think the only safe way to do this would be to put the pools in areas in which Salmon cannot survive if they escaped. They're not even planning on making these 100% sterile, they have to have some breeders or the economics of this plan won't work.

Again, I think the issue here is not whether these fish would be safe for human consumption, but rather would these fish pose a threat to the wild Atlantic Salmon population if these fish excaped.

When...when they escape. They always escape. Ask the Norwegians and Canadians.

[Outside Bend]

When...when they escape. They always escape. Ask the Norwegians and Canadians.

And the Chileans

[Al Agnew]

Yep, there is a HUGE difference between the kind of genetic modifications they are talking about and selective breeding. If you think otherwise you don't come close to understanding what they are doing. I'm concerned about eating such critters, though I'm a lot more concerned about possible ramifications of them escaping into the wild, which, as has already been pointed out, they WILL do.

[Gavin]

I'm not that concerned about their quality as table fare...Darn near anything is edible if its prepared properly....I am greatly concerned about them escaping and affecting wild populations of salmon...Its just not a good idea...

[Wayne SW/MO]

To me there's a big difference between selective breeding and the genetic modifications they're discussing in the article- they're not even talking about hybrid vigor- they're discussing putting the genes of an unrelated species into another animal.

Personally I don't buy the "do it or we'll starve," argument; I've yet to see starving people who could afford fresh salmon, and if these folks were genuinely worried about human welfare, other fishes are far easier to culture. It's a matter of economics- salmon producers want a way to produce the same poundage of fish using less inputs (food), thereby increasing profits. Genetic modification is their solution.

If they can alter their genes as to be completely, 100% foolproof sterile, I'd have no problem with their culture. Then again, we've heard folks make those claims before.

Anything less than that I don't want to gamble with.

Good grief OB, what's the world coming to, I agree with you.

We've been eating, I haven't, chemically altered Tilapia. Like OB said, I don't think this would have any effect on world hunger and if it does in the future than we could worry about it than. It bothers me that this company is pushing it now, what or who do they know in the FDA?