Murkowski and Begich to FDA: Do Not Approve Frankenfish
Alaskan Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich continually fights against genetically-engineered (GE) fishes called Frankenfish. Together with 6 other US Senators, Sens. Murkowski and Begich sent a letter addressed to Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Margaret Hamburg, firmly stressing the widespread congressional opposition to the approval of Frankenfish in the US market.
In their letter, Murkowski and Begich imparted their concern that the FDA may review GE salmon with the same criteria they used for reviewing veterinary drugs, which is deemed inappropriate because of the level of genetic manipulation of Frankenfish is not exactly similar to veterinary drugs.
The letter also reminds the FDA that the “Congressional opposition to the approval of Genetically Engineered (GE) fish for human consumption was recently reaffirmed with the passage by voice vote in the United States House of Representatives of the Young-Woolsey amendment which would bar the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from using funds for the approval of GE salmon.”
In an interview, Sen. Begich tells that “Recent scientific evidence shows that if genetically-modified salmon escape, they could successfully breed with wild stocks, potentially destroying the genetic adaptations that have allowed fish to thrive for millennia. Alaska wild salmon is abundant and sustainable.”
Sen. Murkowski has similar thoughts about the approval of Frankenfish saying that once unlabeled GE fishes are marketed across the US, the results could be devastating to consumers.
“GE salmon could cause dramatic market impacts for wild salmon and this issue must at least be acknowledged, but FDA is completely ignoring it. I am prepared to do everything possible to prohibit funding for FDA approval of GE salmon in the Senate appropriations process,” added Murkowski.
Included in the list of US Senators who signed the letter are Sen. Jeff Merkley, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Sen. Jon Tester, Sen. Daniel Akaka, and Sen. Patty Murray.
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