Is there a future for salmon farms in Canada?
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a 30 percent growth rate faster than wild
salmon (bottom), "frankenfish" (top) are bigger
and stronger at a younger age, raising the
question as to whether or not non-genetically
modified fish would have a chance in the wild |
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Frankenfish: Just another monster?
Genetic technology has entered aquaculture, but not many are catching the wave
By Dan Blouin
Often dubbed “Frankenfish,” transgenic salmon have had DNA segments spliced into their cells — for instance,
genes coded for anti-freezing proteins or growth hormones. Absorbed by the fish’s eggs, these stowaway genes enable the salmon to grow
faster and to survive in colder water.
But the resulting transgenic fish haven’t been approved as food by Health Canada or
the FDA.
Transgenic salmon may appear to be the best thing since tartar sauce for the business of
aquaculture, but so far it seems fish farmers and consumers alike just aren’t taking
the bait.
TROJAN GENES
Still, there are those in the industry who think transgenics may be the answer to recent
salmon farming woes. Garth Fletcher, president of Aqua
Bounty Canada, is one of them; he has been breeding transgenics for years, making sure
the new genes are stable through multiple generations. But Fletcher’s major concern
with transgenics is food safety.
“We’re talking about making sure there’s no nutritional difference between
these fish and what’s available out on the market. We look at a nutritional profile
of fatty acids, proteins, lipids and the allergenicity,” Fletcher says.
Others worry that transgenic salmon could escape from farms and wipe out wild populations — the “Trojan
gene” hypothesis.
Dr. Fred Whoriskey, vice-president
of research and environment for the Atlantic Salmon Federation, says current literature has
alleviated at least one concern about transgenic fish. “It doesn’t look like
they’ll be monsters; we won’t have to worry about seven- to nine-foot salmon
swimming upriver and eating someone’s kid,” he says with a laugh.
But he points out that there’s a limit to what you can do with transgenes. “You
can implant a wonderful gene that’ll grow 30 percent faster, but … it doesn’t
exceed the natural capacities for wild fish populations,” Whoriskey says.
Links:
Health Canada’s action plan about transgenic fish can be found here.
More information on how transgenic animals are created can be found on the FDA
website. |
BIGGER, STRONGER, BETTER?
Even so, being bigger at a younger age could give transgenics an edge in the wild. Mark Abrahams,
a professor of zoology at the University of Manitoba, has studied the behaviour of transgenic
salmon in response to natural predators. He found the larger, transgenic fish would feed longer
when near predators than their smaller, natural cousins. And more food generally means stronger
fish. But Abrahams says it’s difficult to discover if transgenic fish would suffer higher
mortality for their bold behaviour.
“The problem is, if you’re working on transgenic animals, you’re working
under very strict guidelines and conditions. The predators you bring in don’t really
have time to acclimate. So it raises the question of if this is really real,” Abrahams
says.
LUKEWARM RESPONSE
Even if these fish are someday deemed safe, the industry might not be willing to accept them.
“Our industry likes what we have now,” says David Rideout, executive director
of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry
Alliance. “I have yet to have one member say to me, ’David, you’ve
got to get us some of these transgenic fish.’ What they are saying is ’Why are
we getting tagged with using these transgenic fish when we’re so opposed to it?’”
“Even if scientists give us the OK and say these fish are safe to use, if consumers
are opposed to it, we won’t do it,” Rideout warns. “Consumers rule.”
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