The engineered fish, created through insertion of a growth hormone gene from Chinook salmon into the genome of Atlantic salmon, matures twice as fast as other farmed salmon, can grow to double the size, and requires minimal feed. However, the genetic modification has raised concerns among some environmentalists, consumer groups and indigenous tribes, who argue that the fish could pose risks to wild salmon populations if they escape into the ecosystem and interbreed with wild salmon, diluting their gene pool.
In November 2019, environmental and consumer advocacy groups filed lawsuit against the FDA, alleging that the agency had failed to conduct an adequate environmental assessment before approving the genetically engineered salmon. The case was still pending as of 2023, and the AquAdvantage salmon had not begun to be sold in the US market.
Meanwhile, the salmon is already available for sale in Canada and the European Union, where it has been met with mixed reactions. Canadian indigenous tribes have expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on wild salmon population and have opposed its introduction. In the EU, the GM fish has faced resistance from some consumer groups and retailers , leading to limited market acceptance.
Overall, the introduction of engineered Frankenfish , or genetically modified salmon, has ignited debates and controversies due to concerns about its potential environmental impacts and consumer acceptability. The broader commercial sale of genetically engineered fish in the US is yet to become a reality, as legal and regulatory challenges continue to play a substantial role in shaping its market availability.
