AquAdvantage or disadvantage: social and legal pros and cons of genetically modified fish

Abstract

Aquaculture is now responsible for more than half of our seafood production. The industry is very successful, and has been increasing steadily since the 1970s. This may be expected to ease the strain upon capture fisheries, given that global fisheries are now fully- or over-exploited, and many fish stocks are depleted. A further solution is suggested in the development of genetically modified (GM) fish for aquaculture; they could have a significantly enhanced growth rate, lower feed intake and improved disease resistance; which combine to reduce the strain upon global fisheries. At present there are no GM fish licensed for consumption as foodstuff, but the AquAdvantage salmon, manufactured by AquaBounty Technologies, is under assessment for licence by the US Food and Drug Administration. The assessment process is accompanied by protest, both at grassroots and Senate level. The concept of genetically modified living animals is more negatively perceived than genetic crop modification and is in fact repugnant to many; the GM fish has been given the soubriquet ‘Frankenfish’. There is also strongly differing scientific opinion of its value, and biosafety. This paper investigates the claims of the supporters and detractors of GM fish, and finds incompatibility; the safety claims for AquAdvantage do not counter the risk claims for GM fish in general.