The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ended two days of hearings this week into the safety of genetically modified salmon for human consumption with a call for more research.
The salmon, which is reported to reach full size in half the time of other salmon, has raised the ire of consumer and environmental groups opposed to genetically modified foods.
Opponents say it is not yet known whether the GM salmon could prompt allergic reactions in some consumers. They also raised concerns whether it might cross with conventional salmon.
Proponents say nothing has been added to the salmon to increase its allergenicity profile.
Brought forward by the Massachusetts-based AquaBounty, its approval would mark the first genetically modified animal commercialized for human consumption.
However, the FDA’s Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee decided not to make a recommendation for or against its approval, saying it needs more data.
Also under consideration is whether the salmon should be labelled as genetically modified, even though it demonstrates no differences from conventionally raised salmon.
