FDA Considering Ok Of Genetically Engineered Salmon

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will hold a hearing today to consider whether or not to approve genetically engineered salmon for human consumption.

If this approval goes through, it will be the first genetically modified animal permitted by the U.S.F.D.A.

AquAdvantage Salmon is the company who ran tests on salmon by injecting growth hormones which enable the fish to reach maturity in half the normal time, 16 to 18 months, rather than the usual 30 months.

The FDA released an analysis this morning, in which they stated: "We therefore conclude the food from AquAdvantage Salmon is as safe as food from conventional Atlantic Salmon and that there is a reasonable certainty of no harm from the consumption of food from this animal."

Critics, however, worry about potential risks of eating fish injected with the growth hormone, citing that the FDA has relied too heavily on information supplied by AquAdvantage.

A final decision from the FDA is expected in a few weeks.