AquaBounty Technologies, an American company with operations in Prince Edward Island, Canada, is awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial sale of its genetically modified salmon. If approved, it would be the first genetically modified animal to reach our dinner plates. John Buchanan, director of research and development for AquaBounty, told CBC News that its AquAdvantage salmon is “the most studied line of fish ever.” The fish grows at about twice the natural rate, reaching maturity in 1 1/2 to two years. Both salmon are about the same size when fully grown.
AquaBounty: A history
AquaBounty Technologies started in 1991 as A/F Protein. The initial focus was a protein technology that would help farmed fish better withstand sub-zero waters.
In 1996, A/F Protein licensed the AquAdvantage technology from the University of Toronto and Memorial University in Newfoundland. The technology modifies fish at the molecular level to speed growth in early development.
In 2000, the company reorganized into two separate entities — A/F Protein (which retained the antifreeze protein technology) and AquaBounty Farms (which would develop AquAdvantage).
The Massachusetts-based AquaBounty Farms changed its name to AquaBounty Technologies in 2004 and, in 2006, got a listing on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
In September 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the company’s genetically modified salmon was safe for human consumption, and began a 60-day consultation process aimed at securing an official FDA endorsement. Just over a year later, however, the FDA has yet to approve the AquAdvantage technology.
In September of 2011, AquaBounty received a $500,000 research grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, despite reports that the company recorded a net operating loss of $2.8m for the first six months of 2011.
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