WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- An advisory panel urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday to look more closely at whether a salmon engineered for quick growth is safe.
The committee of outside experts held two days of hearings on AquaBounty Technology's application for approval of its salmon, which has DNA engineered to include a growth hormone gene, ABC News reported. Critics say the fish has not been proved safe for human consumption and that it could harm stocks of wild salmon if it escapes from fish farms.
The FDA has not ruled on the salmon. Some scientists for the agency testified they believe the fish is safe.
"In conclusion, all of the data and information we reviewed ... really drive us to the conclusion that AquAdvantage salmon is Atlantic salmon, and food from AquAdvantage salmon is as safe as food from other Atlantic salmon," said Kathleen Jones of the agency's Center for Veterinary Medicine.
The salmon grows about twice as fast as non-engineered fish.
