Is GM salmon more nutritious? Scientists are finding out

Could GM salmon be more nutritious? Scientists are controversially feeding the oily fish genetically modified crops to make the seafood even healthier

• Crops are rich in healthy fish oils; researchers hope these fats will be absorbed
• Healthy omega-3 levels have halfed over the past 10 years in farmed salmon
• Due to decline in anchovies, which provide salmon with omega-3 when eaten 
• Genetic modification allows genes to be moved between species
• Critics argue this increases the risk of antibiotic resistance and allergies  

• e-mail

4

View
comments

Scientists are feeding farmed salmon genetically modified (GM) crops in an attempt to make the oily fish more nutritious.

The crops are rich in healthy fish oils, which the researchers hope the salmon will absorb.

GM, which allows genes to be moved between species, is controversial due to scientists being unaware of its potential long-term health and environmental effects.

Some worry GM allows antibiotic-resistant genes to be transferred between species. Critics also argue it could increase the risk of allergies if people are intolerant to a food whose genes are transferred to another. 

Tests reveal healthy omega-3 oils, which protect against heart disease and cancer, have halfed in farmed salmon over the past 10 years.  

The fish get their omega-3 from eating other oily seafood, such as anchovies, however, a decline in anchovies along with a growing demand for salmon is thought to have caused fatty oil levels to decrease. 

Scientists are feeding farmed salmon GM crops to try and make them more nutritious (stock)

• Vype e-cigarettes sold at Sainsbury’s have been recalled… Women with PCOS are 35% more likely to have a child with… 10 ways to beat cravings and lose weight WITHOUT dieting… Brain training games like sudoku don’t make you smarter!…

Share this article

‘GM fills the gap between supply and demand’ 

Researchers from the University of Stirling have transferred a gene from a type of marine algae to a camelina plant, which is ground up and added to fish food.

Results suggest fish that eat such pellets have higher omega-3 levels.

Dr Monica Betancor told the BBC: ‘We are feeding a starving world and we need to find an alternative.

‘The population is growing very fast and omega-3 should be available to everyone, not just to those who can afford it.

‘There is going to be a gap between supply and demand, and that gap can be filled by GM technology.’

If the study is successful, GM salmon may be available in North and South America, as well as Asia, but will unlikely reach most of Europe due to EU regulations on GM products. 

Professor Johnathan Napier, who developed the GM plants at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, believes Brexit may give the UK an opportunity to rethink its approach to GM. 

Yet Liz O’Neill, director of the campaign group GM Freeze, argues GM may intensify unsustainable fish farming that is damaging to the environment.

WHAT IS GENETIC MODIFICATION (GM) AND WHY IS IT CONTROVERSIAL?

Genetically modified (GM) organisms occur when genes from one living thing, such as a plant, animal or bacteria, are transferred to another.

This is due to the gene causing a desirable trait, such as resistance to a pathogen that normally wipes out crops.

GM allows genes to be transferred between closely related organisms, such as from a wheat to a rice plant, as well as from a fish to a strawberry. 

Benefits include increased productivity for agriculture by raising crop yields while reducing the need for pesticides. 

Yet critics argue the long-term health and environmental consequences of GM are unknown. 

Some worry GM allows antibiotic-resistant genes to be transferred between species, as well as it potentially increasing the risk of allergies if people are intolerant to a food whose genes are then transferred to another.

In Europe, GM produce must be labelled as containing genetically modified ingredients, with such labeling not being required in the US. EU regulations also restrict GM products.  

Developing countries could benefit the most from GM due to such regions often relying heavily on agriculture, with genetic modification boosting food production, in theory.

Source: Read Full Article