Debate over genetically-engineered fish - WWLP 22News

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AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - A lot of people like salmon, but when we asked people if they would eat genetically engineered salmon, they weren't as enticed.

"I just won't eat anything that's not natural that I know isn't natural," Nancy Parrish of Ashfield said. "I don't know the effects it will have on me down the line."

"I would probably eat it, but I think I might think about it a little bit," Ruth Loomis of Haydenville said.

The difference between genetically engineered salmon and regular salmon is that it grows about two times faster, and experts say it could be cheaper.

Eric Decker is a food science professor at UMass Amherst. He told 22News that he feels this fish is not only safe to eat, it could actually improve our health. "Right now people don't get enough omega 3 fatty acids because they can't afford to eat fish, so anything that could make them more affordable could help nutrition," Decker said.

But, some environmentalists like Andrew Whiteley say it's not wise to mess with nature. "It could severely disrupt the ecosystem especially where Atlantic Salmon are native and already in trouble. It could be one more factor that negatively affects them," Whitely said.

Alaska's delegation in Congress is pressuring the FDA to ban genetically engineered salmon, saying that it could hurt one of their most valuable industries.

The genetically-engineered salmon have been created by a company called AquaBounty. They have been trying to get FDA approval for 15 years now, and they say their product is safe.