From Michael A. Crawford
The US Food and Drug Administration has ruled that a fast-growing genetically modified Atlantic salmon is safe to eat (28 November 2015, p 9). That may be so. But if it grows so quickly, will it provide the health benefits of Atlantic salmon to those who consume it? Will it have the same proportions of omega-3 fatty acids? Will it have the same amount of trace elements such as iodine, selenium and zinc? If not, should it even be called salmon?
Eating fish and seafood is generally recognised as being important for brain development and function because of the nutrients they contain. Unless the modified salmon can match its Atlantic cousins on the brain-health scale, it should be called something else to inform the consumer. Perhaps “nomlas”?
London, UK
