I was reading an article on KATU.com the other day that really has me riled. The article stated the F.D.A. was holding hearings regarding approving genetically engineered salmon for human consumption. This is how the genetic engineering is done (according to the article): a company called AquaBounty has added a growth hormone from a Chinook salmon that allows the fish to produce their growth hormone all year long. The engineers were able to keep the hormone active by using another gene from an eel-like fish called an ocean pout that acts like an "on" switch for the hormone. Wasn't there a big stink some time ago about cows that were given growth hormones and the effects that had on children who consumed dairy products from those cows?
The hearings have me riled for more than one reason. The first reason is I don't think it's right to take the DNA from one species and graft it into another species (in this case, it is from another genus). I think it could very well put people's health at risk.
The second reason ties into the first. I don't believe mankind has the capability to exercise complete control over genetically engineered crops and animals. As far as the crops go, humans have absolutely no control over what plants bees will pollinate. When it comes to the animals, animals will at times escape and when this happens, there is the potential for genetically modified animals to breed with "normal" animals. Though it may take more than a few generations, eventually the "normal" crops and animals will be replaced by descendants of genetically engineered crops and animals.
The last reason is related to the first two. According to the article, the F.D.A. would not require the genetically engineered fish to be labeled as such. That robs consumers of their right to choose and I consider this a violation of the consumer's civil rights. I don't want to consume genetically modified foods and I know I am not alone in this. In the case of the fish, how am I to be able to avoid eating the genetically modified fish if it is not labeled? Am I supposed to just not eat fish anymore? What happens should the worst case scenario I outlined earlier comes to pass? Am I supposed to not eat?
All in all, genetically modified foods is a bad idea. I hope the F.D.A. wakes up to this.
