Sale of genetically modified salmon approved in Canada
A genetically engineered salmon has been approved for sale for consumption by humans and livestock feed by Canadian food regulators.
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said today they completed a scientific review of AquAdvantage's salmon in the final regulatory hurdle for the farmed fish.
The salmon was developed by AquaBounty Technologies Inc. to promote rapid growth during early life, using a growth hormone gene from the Chinook salmon in an Atlantic salmon.
It's the first genetically modified animal to be available on Canadian grocery shelves.
AquAdvantage salmon has a facility in the eastern Prince Edward Island community of Bay Fortune.
The regulators say in a news release that genetically modified foods are becoming more common every day and are a regular part of Canadians diets.
The salmon has already been approved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration following that agency's review last year. At the time, we asked our readers if they would consider selling genetically-modified fish in their stores:
