Genetically modified (GM) fish are given genes from other animals in an attempt at creating a new genetic codes in an attempt to accelerate maturation, eliminate negative traits, and boost positive traits in the fish. There some who fear that GM fish will disrupt natural ecosystems, by interbreeding or causing a natural fish species to become extinct because of the increased competition of resources. Also there is the risk of possible health issues for humans who consume GM fish. On the other side of the debate there are those who push for GM fish because of the environmental research benefits in detecting pollutants, others keep them as pets, and some with the hopes that GM fish will be healthier for consumption and expanding the seafood farming. As of now, FDA is reviewing AquaBounty’s GM fish, the AquAdvantage, for consumption despite the controversy . Abstract The Beginning and the Goals A major concern about developing a GM fish is the possible interactions with wild and natural fish. In a study about what might occur if a GM fish and a natural fish procreated, the study showed the offspring between the two fishes lacked in physical and behavioral attributes. There were increased skeletal malformations in the offspring, and only 2/3 of the offspring survived (Sandberg). A concern is also that there will be an increased competition of resources or predation between the GM fish and the natural fish. Since GM fish are created to withstand variations of water, they will be able to habitat warmer and colder climates. There might be a possibility that this will lead to possible species extinction for the natural fish. The intention for GM fish is to be separated from natural fish and put into a separate confinement, but the concern if one escapes; so a possible way to evade the issue would be to have them sterilized to avoid the possibility of cross breeding (Ramstack). Though, the president of AquaBounty claimed that once their genetically modified fish reach sexual maturation, their growth returns to normal, and the largest recorded genetically modified fish does not top the largest natural recorded fish. (Brown). Other concerns involve the potential hazards of consuming a GM fish. Studies show that GM fish have 40% more IGF1, a hormone that is linked to prostate, breast and colon cancer in humans, which could increase the risk of cancer among those who eat the fish. Also a horizontal gene transfer scenario, where bacteria of the human gut takes the DNA from the GM food during digestion. This has only been shown to occur in soy products, it is only speculation that this will occur in GM fish as well. Risks that are Potentially Involved A GM fish called the GloFish, originally created in Singapore in 2003, has been created to detect industrial pollutants in smaller bodies of water (streams and lakes). The GloFish has been made to glow red or green when even the smallest traces of harmful chemicals are in the water (Gill). The Zebrafish has become increasingly popular as a pet. This fish has been genetically modified with bio-fluorescent or light reflecting cells in it’s tissue. The result is the fish is brightly glowing green or red. This is the first marketed transgenic pet in the world (Gill). Consumption is also a goal for the GM fish as well. Because of the ability to withstand a variety of temperature, seafood farming could expand to places that were once previously deemed unsuitable; which would increase the supply of the GM fish and in return would be more abundant on the market. GM fish would be less costly for producers to create and for consumers to purchase because these fish reach maturation in half the time of ordinarily bred fish (Sandberg). Another theoretical goal would be to make the consumed GM fish healthier for human consumption—shellfish are being genetically modified to improve disease resistance and to not provoke allergic reactions. These fish would be able to increased the amount of Omega-3 Fatty acids that would be available (Genetically Modified Food Saves Lives). Benefits Included Although GM fish have not been passed for consumption yet and are still being reviewed, it has been decided that all GM fish must adhere to the same standards of safety under the FFDCA and the FDA’s Center for Food and Safety and Applied Nutrition that apply to regularly bred fish in aquaculture seafood farms (Cummins). There are skeptics who call the GM fish “Frankenfish”, while others are convinced that it will solve the issue of world hunger. This is a graph depicting the average weight and size of the genetically modified AquAdvantage salmon compared to a regularly farmed salmon. Image from: Fooducate.com Sources Regulations, Actions and Debates Genetically modified plants are commonly being used in today’s society, and in 1984 two scientists Dr. Maclean and Dr. Talwar used rainbow trout eggs and crossed them with a Chinese Zhu fish (Schmidt). Fish are ideal for genetic modification because of the massive amounts of external eggs that are made, and now more than 35 different fish are under development for modification. Genes are not just collected from other fish but also humans, mice, coral bacteria to create a new genetic code. The goal for these GM fish is to become more resistant to disease, larger in average size, more tolerant to variations in temperature, expanding aquaculture for human consumption, producing pharmaceuticals, and to test water contamination (Muir). The bottom fish has been genetically modified and is suffering from malformations in its skeletal system and body. Image from: Voanews.com Despite the controversy over the GM fish, AquaBounty, an aquaculture company that has been pushing for the GM fish to hit the markets, has submitted AquAdvantage, a genetically modified salmon, to be passed and sold in markets The GloFish that can be used in detecting chemicals in different bodies of water. Image from: NewScientist.com Even though these salmon are at the same age, the GM salmon reaches maturation at a faster rate than the regularly farmed salmon. From: MailOnline.com Brianna Gustafson Genetically Modified Fish Bhattacharya, Shoani. "Glowing Red G Fish to Sell in US." New Scientist. Reed Business. Information Ltd., 24 Nov. 2003. Web. 13 May 2013. Brown, Paul, E. c. (2000, Apr 22). `Feed the world' opportunity seen for GM salmon. The Guardian. Retrieved fromhttp://search.proquest.com/docview/245516133?accountid=38871 Cummins, Ronnie. "Information on Fish & Sustainability from the Organic Consumers Association."Information on Fish & Sustainability from the Organic Consumers. Association. Organic Consumers Association, n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2013. "Genetically-Modified Rainbow Trout Could Boost Aquaculture." Voice Of America. RSS, 6 June 2010. Web. 13 May 2013. Gill, Tony. "The atomic fish: the rising controversy of genetically modified pets." The Humanist Sept.-Oct. 2004: 7+. Academic OneFile. Web. 2 Apr. 2013. Muir, William M. "The Threats and Benefits of GM Fish." EMBO Reports 5.7 (2004): 654-59. Print. Poulter, Sean. "'Frankensalmon' Ruled Safe to Eat: Fast-growing GM Fish Approved by Scientists." Editorial. Mail Online. Associated Newspapers Ltd, 6 Sept. 2010. Web. 13 May 2013. Ramstack, T. (2003, Feb 01). Genetic changes in fish could increase food but harm habitats. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/464408832?accountid=38871 Sandberg, L. (2000, Jun 21). Guess what's coming to dinner: Genetically modified fish may feed the world -- or unleash an environmental nightmare. National Post. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/329682794?accountid=38871 Schmidt, S. (2010, Sep 30). Makers of genetically modified fish, livestock wage PR battle; biotechnology industry hopes to convince public of benefits. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com/docview/756124317?accountid=38871 The data bit: Genetically modified food saves lives. (2003, The American Enterprise, 14, 15-15.. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/225404997?accountid=38871