Advocacy Groups Ask FDA to Reject Controversial Genetically Engineered Salmon; Demand Increased Transparency

FDA Hearings to Approve First Genetically Modified Food Animal Scheduled for Next Week; Public Largely Unaware

Washington, DC – “Today, Food & Water Watch, along with a coalition of consumer, environmental, fishing, and animal welfare groups, sent a letter to the FDA insisting that it discontinue its controversial and largely secretive approval process for AquaBounty genetically engineered salmon.”

“The FDA has purposefully kept critical information from the public surrounding what could soon become the first genetically engineered food animal to hit the market. Consumers have a right to know that the FDA lacks the means to assess this fish as a genetically engineered animal intended for human consumption. If this product was approved, the resulting consumer health impact could be disastrous.”

“Furthermore, consumers should be aware that the FDA has purposefully scheduled public hearings to limit public participation, beginning them on a Sunday in a remote location (Rockville, Md.) and creating a complicated registration process for the largely unpublicized events. In addition, the agency, which has been studying this fish for nearly a decade, released an insufficient amount of information on the matter (in the form of studies performed by AquaBounty, the company with a vested interest in selling its own product), barely two weeks before the public hearings are set to begin on September 19.”

“We ask that the agency reject AquaBounty’s application for genetically engineered salmon. In addition, we demand that any hearings on the topic be held in a central location and that the public have adequate time to review the very real human health, animal health, and ecological risks this product would generate.”

Contact: Lauren Wright, 202-683-4929; lwright (at) fwwatch.org