Future of Food: This genetically engineered salmon may hit U.S. markets as early as 2020
Summary
TLDRThe PBS NewsHour Weekend special series 'The Future of Food' explores the debate over genetically-modified salmon by AquaBounty. The company's 'AquAdvantage' salmon, engineered to grow twice as fast while consuming less feed, has faced regulatory scrutiny and controversy over health and environmental concerns. Despite FDA approval and Canadian government endorsement, labeling remains a contentious issue, with some fearing the impact on wild salmon stocks and the need for transparent consumer information.
Takeaways
- 🌏 The PBS NewsHour Weekend is launching a special series called 'The Future of Food,' focusing on global efforts to combat food scarcity and waste.
- 🐟 Fish is a crucial protein source globally, with consumption at an all-time high, leading to overfishing and the rise of aquaculture.
- 🛠️ AquaBounty Technologies is producing genetically-engineered 'AquAdvantage' salmon, which grow twice as fast as regular salmon while consuming less feed.
- 🏭 The company operates with a small team across facilities in Canada and the U.S., aiming to introduce their product to the American market.
- 🔬 The development of genetically-engineered salmon began in the late 1980s at Memorial University's Ocean Sciences Center in Newfoundland, Canada.
- 🧬 Physiologist Garth Fletcher pioneered the idea of altering Atlantic salmon DNA to keep growth hormones active year-round, using a gene from the ocean pout.
- 🆚 The genetically-engineered salmon are significantly larger than their non-GE counterparts at the same age, showcasing the impact of the technology.
- 🇺🇸 The majority of Atlantic salmon consumed in the U.S. is imported, as wild Atlantic salmon is endangered and ocean farming is limited.
- 🏞️ AquaBounty's GE salmon could be farmed in various locations, reducing transportation costs and carbon footprint.
- 🏛️ The FDA approved AquAdvantage salmon in 2015, deeming it safe and environmentally non-impactful, despite significant public opposition.
- 🏷️ There is controversy over labeling GE salmon, with some arguing for transparency and others citing the similarity to traditional food products.
- 🔒 Measures are in place to prevent GE salmon from escaping and breeding with wild populations, including microchipping and sterilization processes.
Q & A
What is the PBS NewsHour Weekend special series called and what is its focus?
-The PBS NewsHour Weekend special series is called 'The Future of Food.' It focuses on stories around the world where efforts to fight food scarcity and waste are ongoing.
Why is fish an important protein source globally and what challenges does aquaculture face?
-Fish is an important protein source for many people around the world because it is consumed more than ever before. Aquaculture has taken off to meet demand, but it faces environmental problems similar to those of land-based farming.
What is the significance of the genetically-engineered salmon produced by AquaBounty?
-The genetically-engineered salmon, known as AquAdvantage, is significant because it grows twice as fast as regular salmon while consuming less feed, which could help meet the world's demand for fish and address some environmental issues associated with fish farming.
What was the initial idea behind creating genetically-engineered salmon?
-The initial idea was to alter the DNA of Atlantic salmon to make it grow more quickly by keeping its growth hormones active all year round, inspired by the creation of the first genetically-modified mouse.
How did the genetically-engineered salmon come to be approved for consumption in the United States?
-After a long process that began in 1995, the FDA approved the AquAdvantage salmon in 2015, stating it is 'safe to eat,' has 'no significant impact on the environment,' and found 'no biologically relevant differences' between it and other farm-raised salmon.
What is the controversy surrounding the labeling of genetically-engineered salmon?
-The controversy is that there is no requirement for restaurants or food services to label genetically-engineered salmon, and it is not explicitly labeled in Canadian stores either. This has led to concerns about consumer rights to know what they are eating.
Why is Senator Lisa Murkowski against the sale of AquAdvantage salmon in the U.S.?
-Senator Lisa Murkowski is concerned about the potential impact of genetically-engineered salmon on Alaska's wild stocks and the state's identity tied to its seafood industry. She also believes in the importance of clear labeling for consumers.
What measures does AquaBounty take to prevent the genetically-engineered salmon from escaping and affecting wild populations?
-AquaBounty uses multiple containment barriers and filter systems to prevent fish from escaping. Additionally, about 99% of the salmon are made sterile through a special process, reducing the risk of them breeding with wild salmon.
How does the genetically-engineered salmon differ from regular salmon in terms of growth rate and feed consumption?
-The genetically-engineered salmon grows twice as fast as regular salmon and consumes less feed, making it a more efficient and potentially more sustainable option for fish farming.
What is the role of Yonathan Zohar in the approval process of genetically-engineered salmon?
-Yonathan Zohar, a marine biotechnology expert, provided expertise to the FDA during its decision-making process on whether to approve the genetically-engineered salmon.
What are the potential benefits of using genetically-engineered salmon in aquaculture to meet global food security needs?
-The use of genetically-engineered salmon could help meet the growing demand for fish, reduce the pressure on wild fish stocks, and potentially lower transportation costs and carbon footprint by enabling local production.
Outlines
🐟 Launch of 'The Future of Food' Series and Genetically-Modified Salmon Debate
The PBS NewsHour Weekend initiates a special series called 'The Future of Food,' focusing on global efforts to combat food scarcity and waste. Author Mark Bittman introduces the first story on genetically-modified (G.M.) salmon, emphasizing the growing demand for fish as a protein source and the challenges of overfishing and environmental issues in aquaculture. A company named AquaBounty produces a G.E. salmon, branded 'AquAdvantage,' which grows faster and requires less feed, aiming to address some of these challenges. However, critics argue that this represents a hazardous step. The narrative takes us to Prince Edward Island, Canada, where AquaBounty's salmon are raised in a secretive facility. The company's C.T.O., Ron Stotish, defends the use of technology for future food security and discusses the process and history of developing the AquAdvantage salmon, which began in the 1980s at Memorial University's Ocean Sciences Center in Newfoundland.
🛑 Controversy Over G.E. Salmon's Approval and Labeling
The second paragraph delves into the controversy surrounding the approval and potential environmental and health impacts of G.E. salmon. AquaBounty first sought FDA approval in 1995, and after two decades of rigorous scrutiny, the FDA approved the AquAdvantage salmon in 2015, deeming it safe for consumption with no significant environmental impact. Despite this approval, there was significant opposition, with nearly two million public comments and many retailers refusing to sell the product. The Canadian government also approved the salmon, and although it has been sold in modest quantities, opponents like Sharon Labchuk from Earth Action continue to express concerns about long-term health effects and the ethics of genetic manipulation. The debate also includes the issue of consumer labeling, with some arguing for clear labeling of G.E. products, while others, like Senator Lisa Murkowski, push for more explicit labeling requirements to ensure transparency.
🏭 AquaBounty's Production and the Future of G.E. Salmon in the U.S. Market
The final paragraph discusses AquaBounty's preparations for production in the U.S. and the potential implications for the market. With the U.S. Department of Agriculture issuing labeling guidelines for genetically-engineered foods, AquaBounty is poised to begin business in the U.S., possibly as early as fall 2020. The company's salmon could be sold in various outlets, including restaurants, where no labeling is required. The paragraph also addresses concerns about the escape of G.E. salmon into the wild, with AquaBounty's C.T.O. explaining the stringent containment measures in place and the use of sterilization processes to prevent breeding with wild populations. Aquaculture expert Jonathan Zohar supports the potential of G.E. salmon to help meet the growing demand for seafood and reduce the pressure on overfished oceans, while also acknowledging the need for improved sterilization technology.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Genetically-Modified Salmon
💡Aquaculture
💡Food Scarcity
💡Overfishing
💡AquAdvantage
💡Food Security
💡Genetic Engineering
💡FDA Approval
💡Labeling
💡Sterilization
💡Environmental Impact
Highlights
Launch of PBS NewsHour Weekend's special series 'The Future of Food' focusing on combating food scarcity and waste globally.
Introduction of genetically-modified salmon by AquaBounty, aiming to address environmental issues and meet the world's protein demand.
Aquaculture's growth, tripling production in the last 20 years, as one-third of the world's fish stocks are overfished.
The development of genetically-engineered salmon that grows faster while consuming less feed, potentially revolutionizing fish farming.
The story of genetically-engineered salmon began in the 1980s at Memorial University's Ocean Sciences Center in Newfoundland, Canada.
Invention by Garth Fletcher, a physiologist, who altered salmon DNA to keep growth hormones active all year round.
AquaBounty's salmon, branded 'AquAdvantage,' is set to be available on the American market, pending FDA approval.
The potential of land-based aquaculture to reduce transportation costs and carbon footprint by producing fish closer to consumers.
The controversy and public opposition to genetically-engineered salmon, with concerns over health and environmental impacts.
FDA approval of AquAdvantage salmon in 2015, declaring it safe to eat with no significant environmental impact.
Canadian government's approval and initial market response to genetically-engineered salmon.
Lack of labeling requirements for genetically-engineered salmon in restaurants and food services.
Debate over the ethics of manipulating the DNA of living beings and the long-term health effects of consuming genetically-modified foods.
Senator Lisa Murkowski's efforts to delay the sale of AquAdvantage salmon in the U.S. over concerns for Alaska's seafood industry.
AquaBounty's measures to prevent the escape of genetically-engineered salmon and ensure they are sterile.
Expert opinion on the safety and potential benefits of genetically-engineered salmon in addressing the global seafood crisis.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's issuance of labeling guidelines for genetically-engineered foods.
Aquabounty's preparation for market entry in the U.S. with potential availability as early as Fall 2020.
Transcripts
>> Sreenivasan: TONIGHT, WE
LAUNCH A PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND
SPECIAL SERIES, "THE FUTURE OF
FOOD."
OVER THE COMING MONTHS, WE'LL
FOCUS ON STORIES AROUND THE
WORLD WHERE EFFORTS TO FIGHT
FOOD SCARCITY AND WASTE ARE
ONGOING.
HERE'S AUTHOR MARK BITTMAN TO
INTRODUCE OUR FIRST STORY IN THE
SERIES ON THE DEBATE OVER
GENETICALLY-MODIFIED SALMON.
>> Bittman: FISH IS AN IMPORTANT
PROTEIN SOURCE FOR MANY PEOPLE
AROUND THE WORLD, AND WE'RE
EATING MORE OF IT THAN EVER
BEFORE.
AND WITH ONE-THIRD OF THE
WORLD'S STOCKS OVERFISHED,
AQUACULTURE HAS TAKEN OFF,
TRIPLING PRODUCTION IN THE LAST
20 YEARS.
YET TO DATE, FISH FARMING HAS
STRUGGLED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEMS JUST LIKE LAND-BASED
FARMING HAS.
ONE SMALL COMPANY IS PRODUCING A
GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED SALMON IT
SAYS COULD HELP SOLVE SOME OF
THESE PROBLEMS AND HELP MEET THE
WORLD'S DEMAND.
OTHERS SAY IT'S A DANGEROUS STEP
IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
MEGAN THOMPSON HAS MORE.
THIS REPORT IS SUPPORTED IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PULITZER
CENTER.
>> Reporter: IF YOU FLY TO THE
TINY PROVINCE OF PRINCE EDWARD
ISLAND ON CANADA'S EASTERN
COAST, THEN DRIVE ABOUT AN HOUR
EAST OUT OF THE CAPITAL CITY,
YOU'LL FINALLY COME TO A SMALL,
UNMARKED BUILDING GUARDED BY A
CHAIN-LINK FENCE.
THERE'S NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT IT
OUTSIDE, BUT INSIDE IS ANOTHER
STORY.
THESE TANKS CONTAIN THE ONLY
GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED ANIMAL IN
THE WORLD THAT'S BEEN DEEMED
SAFE TO EAT: ATLANTIC SALMON
MODIFIED TO GROW FASTER.
>> USING NEW TECHNOLOGY IS AN
INTELLIGENT WAY TO MEET THE
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY NEEDS OF
THE FUTURE.
>> Reporter: RON STOTISH IS
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER OF
AQUABOUNTY, THE COMPANY
PRODUCING THE GENETICALLY-
ENGINEERED, OR "G.E.," SALMON.
>> WE'RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF
LAND AND RUN OUT OF WATER TO DO
WHAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO DO
UNLESS WE FIND A BETTER WAY TO
DO IT.
>> THEY KNOW IT'S FEEDING TIME.
YEAH, THEY'RE PRETTY HAPPY.
>> Reporter: IT'S A RELATIVELY
SMALL OPERATION MAKING BIG
WAVES-- 50 EMPLOYEES AT THREE
FACILITIES IN CANADA AND THE
U.S., BREEDING, HATCHING AND
GROWING THE SALMON TRADEMARKED
"AQUADVANTAGE."
THEY HOPE TO HAVE IT ON THE
AMERICAN MARKET NEXT YEAR.
IT WILL BE THE FINAL STEP IN A
LONG PROCESS THAT BEGAN IN
ANOTHER PART OF CANADA.
THE STORY OF GENETICALLY-
ENGINEERED SALMON BEGAN NEARLY
THREE DECADES AGO HERE IN
NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA, AT
MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY'S OCEAN
SCIENCES CENTER, ONE OF THE
WORLD'S LEADING MARINE RESEARCH
LABS.
IN THE 1980s, PHYSIOLOGIST GARTH
FLETCHER AND HIS COLLEAGUES
STARTED READING ABOUT THE FIRST
WORK BEING DONE TO CREATE A
GENETICALLY-MODIFIED MOUSE.
>> AND WE SAID, "WELL, IF THEY
CAN DO THAT IN MICE, MAYBE WE
CAN DO THAT IN FISH."
>> Reporter: FLETCHER CAME UP
WITH THE IDEA OF ALTERING
ATLANTIC SALMON D.N.A. TO GET
THE FISH TO GROW MORE QUICKLY.
>> BECAUSE BEHIND EVERY
PRODUCTION SYSTEM IS AN
ACCOUNTANT THAT SAYS, "ARE WE
MAKING ANY MONEY," YOU KNOW,
"CAN WE PRODUCE THE FISH FASTER,
CAN WE TURN," YOU KNOW, "TURN
THE INVENTORY OVER," TYPE IDEA.
>> Reporter: A SALMON'S GROWTH
HORMONES ARE MORE ACTIVE DURING
CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR.
FLETCHER THOUGHT, WHAT IF HE
COULD GET THE HORMONES TO STAY
ACTIVE ALL THE TIME?
HE TOOK D.N.A. FROM A FISH
CALLED AN OCEAN POUT, WHICH
PRODUCES A SPECIAL PROTEIN ALL
YEAR LONG THAT HELPS IT SURVIVE
IN FRIGID WATERS.
FLETCHER TOOK THE D.N.A. THAT
KEEPS THOSE PROTEINS TURNED ON
AND RUNNING, AND CONNECTED IT
TO A SALMON GROWTH HORMONE GENE
WHICH HAD THE EFFECT OF KEEPING
THE GROWTH HORMONE ON.
>> NOW, IT'S FREE TO RUN SUMMER
AND WINTER IF YOU WISH, ALL YEAR
'ROUND.
>> Reporter: FLETCHER INSERTED
THE GENE INTO HIS SALMON EGGS
AND WAITED TO SEE WHAT WOULD
HAPPEN.
>> SO, IN THE SPRING OF 1990, WE
SAW SOME BIG ONES.
SO, WE SAID, "OOH, MAYBE IT'S
THAT."
>> Reporter: SO, YOU COULD SEE
THAT THESE FISH WERE BIGGER?
>> YEAH, MUCH BIGGER THAN THE
OTHER ONES.
>> Reporter: AS SCIENTISTS
SEEING THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS
WORKING, WHAT DOES THAT FEEL
LIKE?
>> WELL, WE WERE JUST AMAZED,
RIGHT?
>> Reporter: FLETCHER PATENTED
HIS TECHNOLOGY AND STARTED A
COMPANY, WHICH EVENTUALLY BECAME
AQUABOUNTY.
HIS INVENTION IS STILL THE
CENTER OF ITS WORK, A
GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED SALMON
THAT GROWS TWICE AS FAST AS
REGULAR SALMON WHILE ACTUALLY
CONSUMING LESS FEED.
THE DIFFERENCE IS SIGNIFICANT;
THESE FISH ARE BOTH ABOUT TWO
YEARS OLD.
IT'S REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT
THESE SALMON ARE THE SAME AGE,
AND THERE'S SUCH A HUGE SIZE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO OF
THEM.
>> THIS FISH IS FIVE KILOS,
READY FOR MARKET.
THAT FISH IS A LONG WAYS FROM
MARKET.
>> Reporter: IN THE UNITED
STATES, THE MAJORITY OF THE
SALMON CONSUMED IS ATLANTIC
SALMON, BUT ALMOST ALL OF IT IS
IMPORTED FROM OCEAN FARMS IN
NORWAY, CHILE AND CANADA.
THAT'S BECAUSE, IN THE U.S.,
WILD ATLANTIC SALMON IS
ENDANGERED, SO CATCHING IT IS
ILLEGAL.
OCEAN FARMING IS ONLY PERMITTED
IN A FEW PLACES, AND, UNTIL
RECENTLY, THERE WASN'T MUCH
INTEREST IN EXPENSIVE,
LAND-BASED PRODUCTION LIKE
AQUABOUNTY'S.
>> IF YOU HAVE A FISH THAT GROWS
A LITTLE FASTER, SUCH AS AN
AQUADVANTAGE THAT REACHES MARKET
WEIGHT IN HALF THE TIME, YOU CAN
PRODUCE THOSE FISH ALMOST
ANYWHERE BECAUSE YOU CAN GROW
THEM IN A LAND-BASED AQUACULTURE
FACILITY CLOSER TO CONSUMERS.
SO, YOU CAN REDUCE THE
TRANSPORTATION COST.
YOU CAN REDUCE THE CARBON
FOOTPRINT ASSOCIATED WITH
TRANSPORTATION.
SO, THIS... THIS OPENS UP A
WHOLE NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR GLOBAL
SALMON PRODUCTION.
>> Reporter: RON STOTISH TALKS
OF PRODUCING ATLANTIC SALMON IN
PLACES IT'S NEVER BEEN DONE
BEFORE-- LIKE INDIANA, WHERE
AQUABOUNTY HAS SET UP ITS FIRST
AMERICAN FACILITY.
>> AND THIS IS A... A HOT SMOKED
SALMON PREPARATION FROM A
ROUGHLY FIVE-KILO AQUADVANTAGE
SALMON.
>> Reporter: HE GAVE ME A TASTE
OF THE PRODUCT.
IT'S DELICIOUS.
>> ( LAUGHS )
IT'S VERY GOOD.
>> Reporter: I MEAN, I THINK
SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK THAT
THIS WOULD TASTE SOMEHOW
DIFFERENT THAN NON-GENETICALLY-
MODIFIED SALMON, BUT IT TASTES
EXACTLY THE SAME.
>> IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME.
>> Reporter: AQUABOUNTY FIRST
APPLIED FOR APPROVAL FROM THE
U.S. FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION IN 1995.
WHILE IT'S BEEN REGULATING
GENETICALLY-MODIFIED PLANTS FOR
MORE THAN 25 YEARS, THE F.D.A.
HAD NEVER APPROVED A
GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED ANIMAL AS
FOOD BEFORE, AND SO IT TOOK THEM
TWO DECADES TO MAKE A DECISION.
AND THERE WAS STIFF OPPOSITION;
PROTESTERS SENT NEARLY TWO
MILLION COMMENTS TO THE F.D.A.
AND NEARLY 80 RETAILERS VOWED
NOT TO SELL IT.
DESPITE THE CONCERNS, IN 2015,
THE F.D.A. APPROVED AQUADVANTAGE
SALMON, SAYING THE PRODUCT IS
"SAFE TO EAT," "HAS NO
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE
ENVIRONMENT," AND IT FOUND "NO
BIOLOGICALLY RELEVANT
DIFFERENCES" BETWEEN G.E. SALMON
AND OTHER FARM-RAISED SALMON.
THE NEXT YEAR, THE CANADIAN
GOVERNMENT GAVE THE SALMON ITS
STAMP OF APPROVAL, AND
AQUABOUNTY HIT THE MARKET THERE
FIRST, SINCE SELLING A MODEST
20,000 POUNDS OF ITS PRODUCT.
CANADIAN OPPONENTS REMAIN
OUTRAGED.
>> DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO
MANIPULATE THE D.N.A. OF ANOTHER
LIVING BEING?
AND... AND I DON'T AGREE THAT
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HUMANS
SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO.
>> Reporter: SHARON LABCHUK, OF
THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP EARTH
ACTION, HAS HELPED LEAD THE
FIGHT AGAINST G.E. SALMON IN
CANADA FOR DECADES.
SHE SAYS NO ONE CAN PREDICT WHAT
WILL HAPPEN WHEN PEOPLE START
EATING THE FISH OVER AN EXTENDED
PERIOD OF TIME.
>> WE'VE HAD, SAY, 20 YEARS OR
SO EXPERIENCE IN CANADA OF
GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED PLANT
FOODS, AND WE REALLY DON'T KNOW
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS.
>> Reporter: SO FAR, AQUABOUNTY
HAS SOLD ITS SALMON TO
DISTRIBUTORS, AND THE COMPANY
SAYS IT DOESN'T KNOW WHERE IT
ENDED UP AFTER THAT.
THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT THAT
RESTAURANTS OR FOOD SERVICES
LABEL G.E. SALMON, AND THERE'S
NO REQUIREMENT IT BE LABELED IN
CANADIAN STORES, EITHER.
>> PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT
TO HAVE THEIR FISH LABELED.
AND THEY SHOULD HAVE A RIGHT TO
KNOW WHETHER THEY'RE EATING
GENETICALLY-MODIFIED SALMON.
>> Reporter: AND IF IT DOES END
UP BEING DISTRIBUTED IN A STORE
LIKE THIS?
>> NOBODY WILL KNOW.
THERE'S NO IDEA.
>> Reporter: IT IS A FACT THAT
SOMEBODY COULD BE EATING YOUR
PRODUCT, AND THEY WOULDN'T KNOW
IT.
WHY NOT JUST LABEL IT SO PEOPLE
KNOW WHAT THEY'RE EATING?
>> AS A SMALL COMPANY, WITH YOUR
FIRST OFFERING, WITH A LIMITED
QUANTITY, THERE'S A HUGE RISK
ASSOCIATED WITH JUST PUTTING A
LABEL, "GENETICALLY-MODIFIED,
GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED," ON IT.
IF IT'S IDENTICAL TO THE
TRADITIONAL FOOD, WHY... WHY
PUT A LABEL ON IT?
>> Reporter: BUT ITS D.N.A.
HAS BEEN ALTERED.
>> IT'S THE SAME PROTEINS, THE
SAME FOOD THAT YOU'VE BEEN
CONSUMING FOREVER.
>> Reporter: BUT NOT EVERYONE
THINKS IT'S THAT SIMPLE.
>> AT A BARE MINIMUM, THEY MUST
BE HONEST WITH THE CONSUMER WITH
WHAT YOU'RE FEEDING YOUR FAMILY.
>> THE SENATOR FROM ALASKA.
>> Reporter: TO SENATOR LISA
MURKOWSKI OF ALASKA, THE ISSUE
OF LABELING IS SUCH A BIG DEAL
THAT SHE SINGLE-HANDEDLY DELAYED
THE SALE OF AQUADVANTAGE SALMON
IN THE U.S. FOR YEARS.
>> "FRANKENFISH" IS WHAT WE CALL
IT BECAUSE IT IS\SO\UNNATURAL.
>> Reporter: AS A MEMBER OF THE
POWERFUL APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE, MURKOWSKI ATTACHED A
RIDER TO A BUDGET BILL THAT
BLOCKED THE G.E. SALMON FROM
BEING SOLD IN THE U.S. UNTIL THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CAME
UP WITH RULES FOR HOW IT MUST BE
LABELED.
MURKOWSKI'S HOME STATE OF ALASKA
IS ALSO THE NATION'S LEADING
SEAFOOD PRODUCER.
ITS MASSIVE, WILD-CAUGHT PACIFIC
SALMON INDUSTRY IS A SOURCE OF
STATE PRIDE.
MURKOWSKI EVEN CAUGHT THE HUGE
PACIFIC SALMON MOUNTED ON HER
OFFICE WALL HERSELF.
HOW MUCH OF THIS IS ABOUT
OPPOSING THIS TECHNOLOGY, AND
HOW MUCH OF THIS IS ABOUT
PROTECTING THAT INDUSTRY AND THE
POLITICS SURROUNDING THAT?
>> IT IS MORE THAN... THAN JUST
AN INDUSTRY.
IT IS... IT IS AN IDENTITY, AND
IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE SO
KEENLY TIED TO.
THE LAST THING WE NEED IS THE
INTRODUCTION OF... OF SOME
GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED, MUTATED
SPECIES THAT COULD COMPETE WITH
OUR WILD STOCKS FOR... FOR FOOD
AND WITHIN HABITAT.
>> Reporter: WHAT MURKOWSKI'S
WORRIED ABOUT IS THE NEW G.E.
SALMON SOMEHOW ESCAPING AND
MINGLING WITH ALASKA'S WILD
SPECIES EVEN THOUGH THE ONLY
PLACES G.E. SALMON IS APPROVED
TO BE GROWN NOW ARE THE
AQUABOUNTY FACILITIES IN CANADA
AND INDIANA, FROM WHICH THE
F.D.A. SAID THERE'S AN
"EXTREMELY LOW LIKELIHOOD" OF
ESCAPE.
IN CANADA, THE AQUABOUNTY
FACILITY DOES SIT RIGHT ACROSS
FROM A RIVER THAT FLOWS INTO THE
ATLANTIC OCEAN.
>> ALL THE WATER THAT'S COMING
THROUGH HERE GOES THROUGH THESE
CONTAINMENT BARRIERS, THESE SOCK
FILTERS.
>> Reporter: BUT, RON STOTISH
SAYS, ANY WATER DISCHARGED INTO
THE RIVER FLOWS THROUGH AT LEAST
FIVE SEPARATE FILTERS INSIDE AND
MORE BARRIERS OUTSIDE.
>> THE LIKELIHOOD OF A... A TWO
OR THREE KILO SALMON GOING
THROUGH ONE OF THOSE FILTERS,
THROUGH ONE OF THOSE BOXES, AND
RUNNING OUT ACROSS THE STREET
AND GOING THROUGH IS... IS
VIRTUALLY ZERO.
WE'VE BEEN OPERATING FOR MORE
THAN 25 YEARS, AND WE'VE NEVER
LOST A SINGLE FISH.
>> Reporter: HE KNOWS THIS
BECAUSE EVERY FISH IS
MICROCHIPPED AND TRACKED.
AND EVEN IF THEY DID ESCAPE,
ALMOST NONE COULD BREED WITH
ORDINARY SALMON BECAUSE
AQUABOUNTY USES A PROCESS THAT
IT SAYS RENDERS ABOUT 99% OF
THEM STERILE.
>> SO, I THINK THAT WE ARE AS
SAFE AS... AS WE CAN BE.
>> Reporter: AQUACULTURE EXPERT
YONATHAN ZOHAR LEADS THE
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE
BIOTECHNOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF MARYLAND.
HE PROVIDED EXPERTISE TO THE
F.D.A. WHEN IT WAS DECIDING
WHETHER TO APPROVE THE
GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED SALMON.
ZOHAR DOES BELIEVE THE
STERILIZATION TECHNOLOGY CAN BE
IMPROVED AND IS CURRENTLY DOING
RESEARCH ON JUST THAT.
>> WE DEVELOPED A NEW TECHNOLOGY
TO REDUCE... TO PRODUCE STERILE
FISH.
>> Reporter: BUT FOR NOW, ZOHAR
SAYS THERE'S ANOTHER REASON NOT
TO FEAR ESCAPED G.E. SALMON;
STUDIES SHOW THEY WOULDN'T
SURVIVE LONG IN THE WILD.
>> THEY WILL NOT LAST FOR VERY
LONG.
WILD FISH ARE OUTCOMPETING THEM
WHEN THEY'RE EXPOSED TO MOTHER
NATURE-TYPE OF CONDITIONS.
>> Reporter: ZOHAR ALSO WANTS TO
REMIND PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE
PROBABLY ALREADY EATING A LOT OF
GENETICALLY-MODIFIED FOOD.
>> I MEAN, IN THIS COUNTRY,
ABOUT 70% OF ALL THE PLANTABLE
CROPS ARE GENETICALLY-
ENGINEERED, AND PEOPLE DON'T
BLINK TWICE ABOUT IT.
WE ARE FACING A MAJOR,
SIGNIFICANT SEAFOOD CRISIS.
SIMPLY SAID, MORE PEOPLE EAT
MORE FISH, AND, AS A RESULT, WE
ARE FISHING OUT AND EMPTYING OUR
OCEANS.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE GENETIC
ENGINEERING AND PRODUCE A FISH
THAT IS GOING TO MAKE IT TO THE
MARKET SIZE IN HALF THE TIME,
THIS WILL BE HUGE.
THIS WILL HELP AQUACULTURE
ACTUALLY MEET THE CHALLENGE AND
BECOME THE INDUSTRY THAT WE NEED
IT TO BECOME SO WE STOP FISHING
OUT THE OCEANS.
>> Reporter: AQUABOUNTY IS
BETTING ON IT.
IN MARCH, THE COMPANY GOT THE
GREEN LIGHT TO START BUSINESS IN
THE U.S. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE
U.S.D.A. ISSUED LABELING
GUIDELINES FOR ALL GENETICALLY-
ENGINEERED FOODS.
THERE ARE A FEW LABELING
OPTIONS-- PRINTING A SYMBOL OR
THE WORD "BIOENGINEERED" ON THE
PACKAGE, OR COMPANIES CAN PRINT
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO GET MORE
INFORMATION.
BUT SOME OF THOSE INSTRUCTIONS
DON'T HAVE TO MENTION THE WORD
"BIOENGINEERED."
AND THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR SENATOR
LISA MURKOWSKI.
>> YOU CAN GO TO THE BAR CODE
SCANNER, IF YOU WILL, AND...
AND GET A... A READING, BUT YOU
DON'T... YOU DON'T HAVE THE
LABEL THAT SAYS THAT IT IS
GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M CONCERNED
ABOUT.
THE F.D.A. DIDN'T HAVE ANY
MANDATORY LABELING REQUIREMENT.
>> Reporter: MURKOWSKI'S
PUSHING A BILL TO MAKE THE
LABELING MORE EXPLICIT.
BUT NONE OF THIS WILL MATTER IF
AQUABOUNTY'S SALMON END UP IN
RESTAURANTS OR SIMILAR
INSTITUTIONS BECAUSE NO LABELING
IS REQUIRED THERE.
IN THE MEANTIME, AQUABOUNTY'S
GEARING UP PRODUCTION AT ITS
INDIANA FACILITY, AND ITS SALMON
COULD HIT THE U.S. MARKET AS
EARLY AS THE FALL OF 2020.
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