 In
a fight for survival, the normal coho salmon lost to the aggressive
genetically modified salmon known as "frankenfish."
Scientists found when genetically modified (GM) salmon were kept
in the same tank as normal salmon, the GM salmon devoured their
smaller-sized competitors and even ate their own kind. A tank that
once held 50 animals ended up with only a few GM fish survivors.
This finding supported the theory that negative consequences resulted
from a lack of food supplies. It also raised the concerns of researchers
on the potential harmful effects of releasing GM fish into natural
waters.
The concern has become more of a reality as the Aqua Bounty Farms
requested the FDA’s approval to market a modified salmon that
would grow at a rate 50 times faster than normal salmon.
Some researchers claimed this GM salmon would benefit both fish
farmers and consumers in terms of lower costs.
What Could Happen if These GM Fish Escape
Into the Natural Environment?
The already vulnerable natural salmon supply would face further
danger if they had to compete with GM fish for food supply and mates,
which could eventually force the natural fish to extinction. This
is also known as the "Trojan gene" hypothesis.
Over the years, hundreds of thousands of Atlantic salmon from farms
found their way into the Northwest waters after a series of storms
and roving sea lions tore open their floating tanks.
Aqua Bounty Farm’s answer to the escapees trying to reproduce
in the natural environment was to raise only sterile females in
the tanks. Other studies showed that if the GM fish escaped into
the natural environment, their chances of survival was minimal due
to their increased likelihood of contracting disease and their unawareness
to the threats of predators.
While it was found that GM fish grew much quicker than normal fish,
they weren’t significantly bigger once they reached full-growth.
Seattle
Times June 8, 2004
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