Policy Update

Alaska Legislators Ask FDA to Reject GM Salmon

Region

Federal

NCEL Point of Contact

Ruth Musgrave
Conservation Senior Advisor

Contact

Alaska state legislators have asked the US Food & Drug Administration to withhold its approval of Aquabounty’s application to bring a genetically modified (GM) salmon to market.

In a letter dated October 1, Alaska Senators and Representatives from both Republican and Democratic parties voiced their strong opposition to allowing GM salmon into the marketplace. The legislators are concerned about effects the GM salmon could have on wild salmon stalks, the state’s economy, and risks to public health. In 2005, Alaska lawmakers passed a law that requires Alaska retailers to identify and label foods containing fish and shellfish, or fish and shellfish products, which have been genetically modified.

To read a copy of the Alaska legislators’ letter, use this link:
http://www.aksenate.org/wielechowski/100510_letter_to_commissioner_hamburg.pdf