Sunday, November 21, 2010

Genetic Salmon - No Thanks


How many chromosomes in Salmon?  No worries about genetically engineered fish if casting a line in the Salmon Rvr.http://tinyurl.com/2dy5uxa

However, the FDA is considering approval for a genetically engineered fish grown in a lab. If this approval occurs on a product called Aqua Advantage, it will be the first time a genetically engineered animal has been given the green light for human consumption.  However, as reported by Alison Faibrother in Politics Daily, consumers are shaking their heads ‘No Thanks’ to salmon eggs produced in Canada, and then grow them in controlled facilities in Panama before shipping to the U.S. for consumption. Apparently this fish is a triploid - three sets of chromosomes, not two - a genetic condition that makes the animal sterile. Yikes.  It grows twice as fast as a Chinook or other natural Salmon. No thanks!


Anglers at our campground here in Idaho along the banks of the Salmon River -  from Salmon in the Spring run, to Winter Steelhead, or any other fish -  have no worries about genetically created fish or fuss over chromosome counts.  When a beauty is at the end of your line in the River of No Return, just reel it in and pop it on the barbie.  Your only concerns might be the temperature of the grill or which seasoning to use. 

Winter Steelhead fishing is ongoing for the months ahead, and there are always a few spots open here in our Idaho campground for overnight guests, in addition to our Winter Storage guests.