FDA's Labeling Discussion on Genetically Engineered Salmon Premature

"In light of the flimsy science debated in yesterday's FDA hearing on
genetically engineered (GE) salmon, the labeling discussion today is
wholly inappropriate.

"Yesterday, even members of the Veterinary Medicine Advisory
Committee, who are generally in favor of biotechnology, raised serious
concerns around some of the science, citing the poor methodology and
construction of the studies, which were provided by AquaBounty. The
small data sets, the poor design, and the fact that the company killed
off salmon that were deformed prior to doing a physical analysis for
comparison with non-GE fish were all cited. They didn't test enough
fish, or the most appropriate types of salmon that would be likely to
end up on consumer's plates.

"Given yesterday's hearty debate on the flawed science before the
committee, we believe that it is even more imperative that the agency
develop a more sophisticated process for allowing GE meats to become
part of the American diet. Their regulatory regime has not kept pace
with the advances in science. We are hopeful that the FDA will not act
to approve GE salmon during the up-coming end of year holidays, when
people are too busy to notice--which we have seen agencies do in the past
on controversial issues. They need to be intellectually honest about
the poor science and not bow to political pressure from the biotech
industry.

"We will continue to urge the FDA to delay approval until it can do
its own independent, well-designed, long-term studies on the effects of
consuming genetically engineered meat."