Dear Advocate,

The FDA has declared genetically engineered (GE) salmon safe for human consumption and is set to approve it for commercial production. The transgenic fish from AquaBounty Technologies supposedly grows twice as fast as natural fish. It will not be labeled as a GE product.

Why are GE salmon a problem?

1) There are concerns about the human health impacts. Scientists assert that foreign growth hormones in transgenic fish may increase production of other compounds, such as insulin, in the fish. FDA's own tests reportedly found elevated levels of IGF-1 growth factor, a suspected carcinogen. FDA also has recognized that a transgene, once added to a creature's genetic code, cannot be "turned off" and will have uncontrollable effects.

2) GE salmon will devastate stocks of wild salmon, which already are on the Endangered Species List. Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences notes that a release of just sixty GE salmon into a wild population of 60,000 could lead to the extinction of the wild population in less than 40 fish generations.

3) Transgenic fish may be more susceptible to disease than currently farmed fish. Consequently, the amount of antibiotics given to transgenic fish may be higher than the amount currently given to farmed fish; farmed salmon already are given more antibiotics than any other livestock.

Tell the FDA it should not approve GE salmon and, if it does, that GE salmon should be labeled! The hearing for approving GE salmon is Sunday, September 19, so please submit your comments by Wednesday, September 16.

A sample letter is provided that you can modify and send directly, just click below!

It's easy to take action »

Thank you,
Trudy Bialic and Eli Penberthy
PCC Public Affairs

4201 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
ph: 206-547-1222
fx: 206-545-7131
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