Genetically modified salmon OK'd for human consumption in US

http://www.ktvu.com/news/51495658-story

I believe it is far less damaging to our world environment than deforestation so we can raise more beef. 

Didn't these guys see any of the jurassic park movies.....sheesh....no good can come from this 

Didn't these guys see any of the jurassic park movies.....sheesh....no good can come from this 

blech.

As much as I detest Atlantic salmon farming and its adverse effects on wild Pacific salmon (not to mention the garbage taste of farmed Atlantics), maybe this move could be a good thing.  Assuming that demand stays its course or even slowly increases, wouldn't the farmers be able to raise fewer fish yet still yield the same volume of fillets?  As in, you're gonna get more meals out of one 20 pound salmon than you would two 10 pounders?  Could that mean smaller farms and therefore less fish crap and disease emanating from these farms?  I'm not too privy on aquaculture (let alone the current trend in farmed salmon consumption  ) so I don't know.

The whole "escape into the wild and establish breeding populations" threat has been talked about for decades with Atlantics on the Pacific side, but that Apocalypse hasn't occurred.  The threat is still there, but I don't see how the threat would increase with bigger (and potentially fewer) fish being raised in the farms.  IMO, the issue of bajillions of pink salmon in the Pacific NW competing with other Pacific salmon poses a bigger problem than a few stray Atlantics.

Another question that comes to mind is how much feed these genetically modified Atlantics will require to maintain that growth rate.  Even though the salmon are raised in a farm, they still eat food that needs to be caught in the wild.  Could additional pressure be placed on mid-grade and low-grade fishes like anchovies in order to feed these fast-growing fish?

I'd better hit the lab and do some research  .

As much as I detest Atlantic salmon farming and its adverse effects on wild Pacific salmon (not to mention the garbage taste of farmed Atlantics), maybe this move could be a good thing.  Assuming that demand stays its course or even slowly increases, wouldn't the farmers be able to raise fewer fish yet still yield the same volume of fillets?  As in, you're gonna get more meals out of one 20 pound salmon than you would two 10 pounders?  Could that mean smaller farms and therefore less fish crap and disease emanating from these farms?  I'm not too privy on aquaculture (let alone the current trend in farmed salmon consumption  ) so I don't know.

Another question that comes to mind is how much feed these genetically modified Atlantics will require to maintain that growth rate.  Even though the salmon are raised in a farm, they still eat food that needs to be caught in the wild.  Could additional pressure be placed on mid-grade and low-grade fishes like anchovies in order to feed these fast-growing fish?

Imo the faster growth rate just means the product will be reach market size quicker.  Since few people go to the store to buy a 30lb salmon the faster growth rates are more about efficiency, faster turnaround, production rates.  Nobody will purposely reduce the volume they're able to farm, no money in it for em. 

You hit the nail on the head with food....if these frankenfish take off in the marketplace we're just gonna see increased pressure on forage fish......and everything in the ocean is depending on that food source.     

They don't taste good, that's why I don't buy them.

I'll buy that they are safe for human consumption via just the genetic engineering. However, faster growing fish means higher turnover and therefore more fish grown, which means more disease which can spread to wild west coast Pacific Salmon from the BC pens. More disease also means more antibiotics.
they also said,

"The fish would be bred female and sterile, though a very small percentage might still be able to breed"

It only takes a few.
They said, '

The company has argued the potential for escape is low."

What exactly is low - numbers wise- when you are taking about millions of Salmon?  Atlantic salmon are already being caught in BC and southeast Alaska.
 How do we keep that potential low in third world countries? If North Korea takes advantage of this genetic mod to feed their starving masses. IMO I don't think they will care if a few thousand escape every year.

At least keep these beasties on the East Coast where Atlantic Salmon belong

If you want to modify Salmon, how about a California Silver Salmon so that it's eggs float and hatch like Striper eggs. I'll bet the survival rate would skyrocket.

It's just like store-bought chicken that are pumped with growth hormones to get it plump and to market quicker, unless it's organic and no growth hormones, right?

I stay away from farmed salmon due to its environmental impacts, but adding GMO on top of that?  sheeh....

dont buy it = eat rockfish instead 

Maybe they can use it for organic fertilizer for GMO corn.

dont but it = eat rockfish instead 

I hear lingcod is the new salmon!

I'd give up my fishing license before I eat farmed fish!