GM Fish
A US biotechnology company has successfully developed the world’s first GM salmon fish which is being named as ‘AquAdvantage salmon’ and which reportedly grows twice as fast as wild salmon. Approving the human consumption of the transgenic salmon, the US’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now analysing public comments on its environmental impact as the final part of the approval process. As it is known, Salmon fish is the richest source of Omega-3. Recent studies have found that salmon contains a bioactive protein called calcitonin which provides special support for joint cartilage, insulin effectiveness, and control of inflammation in the digestive tract. Human form of calcitonin is made by the thyroid gland which is a key hormone for helping regulate and stabilise the balance of collagen and minerals in the bone and surrounding tissue. The GM salmon is said to be containing all the nutrients like the naturally grown salmon fish.
Doubts and confusions remains about the impact of transgenic salmon on the natural salmon habitat and on aquatic environment. Since food security is the top priority nowadays, higher production is the main point of consideration for accepting or rejecting a food item.
Professor M Zahidul Haque
SAU, Dhaka
