Genetically modified salmon should be cleared for human consumption by the FDA.

Today I would like to prove why genetically modified salmon should be cleared for human consumption. GMOs are a wonderful idea. Genetically modified crops are already being produced and used in the food industry. They are easier to grow, more resistant to stresses, and increase yield for farmers. [1] I would like to discuss today the economic effects, testing, and social implications of GMOs. Looking at the economy today, the casual observer can see that it is not in the best of shape. The unemployment rate in America is at 8.3 percent. Genetically modified salmon would need maintenance, supervisors, and harvesters. This could potentially create hundreds of jobs, jobs that Americans need. Secondly, Salmon costs on average $8.60 a pound. [2] Salmon being so expensive cannot achieve the market of the lower middle and lower classes. If genetically modified salmon were legalized, they could reach these markets. According to the law of supply and demand, if there is more demand for salmon, there will have to be a larger production of the fish. This would lead to stimulation of the industry, and lower prices for consumers. Thirdly, we could sell the technology to other countries. This would stimulate our economy, increasing foreign trade, and allowing both our and foreign economies to flourish. The United States economy needs some help, legalizing GMO's for human consumption may just be the answer. I want to discuss the testing which has been done on these organisms next. One of the FDA's main concerns is whether or not the fish is safe or will have long term effects on humans. This is a good thing. One of the FDA's primary obligations is to make sure food is safe for human consumption. However, AquAvantage submitted its first data set to the FDA in 1996, 16 years ago. What they don't seem to understand is that this salmon is the same as any other animal. It has genetics just like any other organism. The genetics of cattle are not subject to the meticulous scrutiny these fish are. What if there are long term effects of beef consumption due to their genes? It is ridiculous to single out this organism for the sole fact that its genes were not formed by natural selection. A second concern is that the fish could mate with other salmon replacing the traditional population. The company has this to say on the subject, "AquaBounty has further stipulated that it will market only sterile, all female AquAdvantage® Salmon. Since these fish are unable to reproduce, there can be no gene flow to wild salmon. As a further precaution, AquAdvantage® Salmon will be reared in physically contained facilities, similar to those used in the commercial trout industry. AquAdvantage® Salmon will thus be raised with redundant biological and physical containment, mitigating any potential risk of a negative impact on genetic diversity of wild stocks." [3] As we can see from this quote, all salmon will be sterile in containment facilities. There is no possible way for these salmon to mate and therefore there is no risk to the traditional population. Finally, I think another major problem the FDA has with legalizing the fish is social pressure. People have bought into the sensationalism of being anti-"Frankenfood." The view that GMOs are dangerous is propagated by organizations such as Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund. Many people say they are against genetically modified organisms or that it should be labeled already eat GMOs on a normal basis. [4] Genetically modified crops are used all over the US, and there has been relatively little problem with them. About as many problems as you would run into with traditional foods. Today I have outlined a case for the legalization of genetically modified salmon for human consumption. I have made this assertion based on the economy, testing, and social issues.[1] http://www.fao.org...[2] http://www.indexmundi.com...[3] http://www.aquabounty.com...[4] http://www.ucsusa.org...