Alaska’s congressional delegation has introduced bills that would require genetically engineered salmon to go by a market name that includes the terms “genetically engineered” or “G.E.”
The makers of the AquaAdvantage fish hope to farm the product in Panama and import it to the United States. The fish is a modified Atlantic salmon designed for fast growth.
In November, the FDA approved the fish as a safe food but imports are on hold until the FDA completes labeling guidelines.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski is the prime sponsor of the legislation. Senators Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Maria Cantwell of Washington state are co-sponsors. Alaska Congressman Don Young sponsored a House version.
The bills also call for an independent study to review the FDA’s assessment that the fish would have no significant impact on wild salmon stocks.
Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her at lruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Liz here.
