Genetically Engineered Salmon Could Be On Plates Soon

Scientists call it a "transgenic" fish. The company that created it calls it "AquAdvantage." Consumer activists are calling it "Frankenfish."

And you may soon be calling it dinner.

After a decade of deliberation, the federal government is considering giving its seal of approval to a genetically engineered salmon made by a Massachusetts biotech company.

It would look, taste and smell no different from ordinary salmon. But will restaurants serve it? Will markets sell it? More important, will we eat it?

This novel organism, which has an "all-fish" modified genetic code, matures at twice the rate of conventional salmon but is in other ways indistinguishable from its wild counterparts. Before the year is up, it may become the first genetically modified animal to be approved for human consumption.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: The Sacramento Bee.