FDA Proceeds on Genetically Altered Salmon Evaluation
News Date September 07, 2010
The United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is prepared to approve genetically modified salmon, which grow much faster than identical Atlantic salmon, as safe for human consumption. This is the first such approval made by the FDA. Some consumer groups and environmental organizations are concerned about whether the process FDA uses to determine whether the fish is safe, the same process used to evaluate a new veterinary drug, is adequately transparent.
Aquabounty, the Massachusetts company first applied to the FDA for permission to sell its fish in 1995. Its research and supporting data is kept confidential under the FDA process. Industry supporters are eager for this process to work and for science to be used as the driving force for the pre-market approval process. On September 20, 2010, the Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee will consider issues regarding the safety and effectiveness of the new animal drug that is the subject of a new animal drug application (NADA) concerning AquAdvantage salmon produced by AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. A Notice of Meeting was published in the Federal Register on August 26, 2010. (By: Amos Welder) (Contact: Bob Ehart)