Researchers at AquaBounty Technologies in the United States have genetically engineered Atlantic salmon, Pacific Chinook salmon, and oceanic salmon to produce a new salmon variety. The specific method is to implant the growth hormone gene sequence extracted from Chinook salmon and the antifreeze protein gene sequence extracted from the ocean carp from the fertilized eggs of Atlantic salmon.
Why choose these three kinds of salmon for hybrid breeding? Chinook salmon is the largest of the salmon family, and the antifreeze proteins in the blood of the oceanic salmon allow them to survive in cold waters.
Ordinary wild Atlantic salmon usually grows only in the warm springs of the spring and summer season and takes three years to grow. But AquAdvantage salmon, which "absorbs" the excellent genes of Chinook salmon and ocean carp, is different in that it can secrete growth hormone in the cold climate under the action of synthetic genes, so its growth cycle is shorter and the time to market is from It has been shortened to one and a half years in three years, and its body is much larger than ordinary wild salmon.
It seems that genetically modified salmon will bring good news to fisheries and environmental protection. As Dr. Ronald Stotish, President of AquaBounty, said: “The rapid growth of genetically modified salmon can reduce the cost of farming. Its environmental adaptability means that salmon can be farmed in close proximity to land and even in residential areas, both for supply and reduction. Carbon dioxide emissions from transportation."
However, the American people do not think so. They are more concerned that it is safer to eat no salmon that does not increase any nutrients or become more delicious. Stotish feels that this fear is completely unnecessary. "Our genetic modification." Salmon is consistent with traditional Atlantic salmon in every measurement." In the experimental data submitted to the FDA by AquaBounty, the genetically modified salmon was compared with Atlantic salmon in terms of taste, color, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, protein, etc., and the results showed no difference.