Stop the mutant FDA before it multiplies!

[Guest guest]

At least SOMEONE was awake on the job to help prevent the purveyors of

enfood from extending their sick and dangerous plans even further....

WASHINGTON -- The House voted Wednesday to prohibit the Food and Drug

Administration from approving genetically modified salmon for human consumption.

The FDA is set to decide this year whether to approve the modified fish, which

grows twice as fast as the natural variety. The FDA said last year that the fish

appears to be safe to eat but an agency advisory panel said more studies may be

needed before it is served on the nation's dinner tables.

If the salmon is approved, it would be the first time the government allowed

such modified animals to be marketed for human consumption. It was created by a

Massachusetts company, AquaBounty, which says its fish is safe and

environmentally sustainable.

Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, offered an amendment to a farm spending bill late

Wednesday that would prohibit the FDA from spending money to approve

AquaBounty's application. The amendment was approved by voice vote.

Young argued that the modified fish would compete with wild salmon in his state.

Other critics have labeled the modified salmon a " frankenfish " that possibly

could cause allergies in humans and eventually decimate the wild salmon

population.

AquaBounty has added a growth hormone from a Chinook salmon that allows the fish

to produce their growth hormone all year long. The bioengineers were able to

keep the hormone active by using another gene from an eel-like fish called an

ocean pout that acts like an on switch for the hormone, according to the

company. Conventional salmon produce the growth hormone only some of the time.

The FDA has appeared favorable toward the engineered fish, saying there are no

biologically relevant difference between the engineered salmon and conventional

salmon and there is a reasonable certainty of no harm from its consumption. The

agency is also considering whether the fish needs to be labeled as modified.

Approval would open the door for a variety of other genetically engineered

animals, including a more environmentally-friendly pig that is being developed

in Canada or cattle that are resistant to mad cow disease. Each would have to be

approved by the FDA.

The House is expected to pass the farm spending bill later this week. The Senate

has not weighed in on the issue.