A FINE FETTLE OF FISH

One of the First Genetically Engineered Animal Foods- Salmon

This week a group supporting the labeling of GMO foods  (-http://www.JustLabelIt.org/takeaction) was encouraging  concerned consumers to contact the FDA about plans to approve genetically engineered salmon, stressing,“We have no time to lose.”

“The FDA is preparing to approve genetically engineered salmon, which would be the first genetically engineered animal on supermarket shelves in the United States. The salmon is engineered to produce growth hormones year-round that cause the fish to grow at twice the normal rate. The government already requires labels to tell us if fish is wild-caught or farm-raised -- don't we also have a right to know if our salmon is genetically engineered? Without labels, we'll never know.”

“As consumers, I think we have a right to know how the food we buy is produced, including whether it's genetically engineered. Otherwise, we can't decide what's best for us and our families.” By the author of the letter from the JustLabelIt Organization.

Many countries in the world are modifying foods to make them more resistant to cold, or to accept more powerful pesticides so that plants will survive harsher conditions or pests, and in order to produce greater crop yields. However, the United States is one of the few developed nations that does not require the labeling of genetically engineered foods. Even China and Russia label them!  

It is becoming ever more apparent that Human bodily chemistry is unbelievably complex, and it is monstrous to hide a GMO in a protein source which is also in a major source of Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 6). This GMO change will pass along growth hormones to children as well as to adults without any recourse unless people have the information so they have a choice.

If readers would like to contact the FDA to weigh in on this issue, the contact Information is included below.

Google- Search for FDA GMO info

Contact  the FDA

ConsumerInfo@fda.hhs.gov

Consumer Health Information

Room 5377, Building 32

10903 New Hampshire Ave.

Silver Spring, MD 20993 

The FDA has a well organized web site and blog, featuring topics from A to Z. I recommend checking it out. It contains a lot of information, including the article below, taken from their site. 
 

Graphic from the FDA Web Site explaining the difference between Genetic Engineering and controlled pollination or cross- breeding different species of plants and animals.

FDA's Role in Regulating Safety of GE Foods

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Foods from genetically engineered (GE) organisms, also known as biotech foods and referred to by some as food from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), have been in our food supply for about 20 years.

Genetic engineering refers to certain methods that scientists use to introduce new traits or characteristics to an organism. For example, plants may be genetically engineered to produce characteristics that enhance the growth or nutritional value of food crops.

Using a science-based approach, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates foods and ingredients made from genetically engineered plants to help ensure that they are safe to eat.

Since people have been modifying plants for thousands of years through breeding and selection, FDA uses the term "genetically engineered," or "GE," to distinguish plants that have been modified using modern biotechnology from those modified through traditional breeding.

FDA regulates food from GE crops in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is responsible for protecting agriculture from pests and disease, including making sure that all new GE plant varieties pose no pest risk to other plants. EPA regulates pesticides, including those bioengineered into food  to make them more resistant to  climate extremes.

Other Threats to Wild Salmon.
Oil Companies are seeking to drill for petroleum products along the major waterways in Alaska where a major source of Wild (Pink) Salmon are harvested.

Writing of the first article is the Copyright© of Ruth Zachary. The Article about the FDA's Role in Regulating Safety of GE Foods was taken from the FDA website and blog.