Update: Genetically Modified Salmon

California Senator, Dianne Feinstein cosponsored S. 229 and S. 230, introduced by Senator Mark Begich [D-AK] on January 31, 2011.  These bills would have required the labeling of genetically modified salmon and banned the approval of genetically modified salmon by the FDA, respectively. Both these bills have been referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.  Unfortunately, the 112th Congress did not take action on either of these bills before adjourning. In order for these bills to be considered again, they would have to be reintroduced in the 113th Congress.

 Senator Feinstein continues: 

“I am concerned that the FDA is using a regulatory framework for animal drugs to assess the safety and environmental consequences of this product. This drug approval process was not designed to regulate genetically modified foods, and I am concerned that the process does not allow for the release of important health and safety information, nor does it provided adequate opportunities for public comment.”

Deadline: 11:59 PM, April 26th, 2013

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it is extending for 60 days the comment period for the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) pertaining to AquaBounty Technologies’ application for AquAdvantage Salmon. The comment period runs until April 26, 2013. PLEASE LEND YOUR VOICE TO THIS IMPORTANT MISSION.

Please take advantage of this extended commenting period and forward this important petition to all of your close personal friends and family!   

AquAdvantage Salmon are Atlantic salmon that have been genetically engineered to reach a measure of growth commonly used in salmon aquaculture more rapidly than other farmed Atlantic salmon. This is commonly linked to “reaching market size” (about 2-5 kilograms or about 5-12 pounds) in less time than other farmed salmon.

The draft EA and preliminary FONSI are one step in FDA’s evaluation of the AquAdvantage Salmon and do not indicate an approval of the application. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires FDA and other federal agencies to perform such assessments whenever a major Federal action is taken. 

Sign the petition to tell the Food and Drug Administration not to approve GE salmon AND, if the Obama Administration insists on approving these genetically engineered fish, it should require the fish to be labeled! 

For more information on GE salmon, see the Center for Food Safety GE fish campaign website