ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, May 29 (UPI) -- Genetically modified salmon pose a threat to natural populations as offspring of salmon and wild trout could out-compete their parents, Canadian scientists say.
Salmon and brown trout are closely related and can interbreed and produce hybrids in nature, though less than 1 percent of the resultant offspring are hybrids.
Researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland warned that "escapes and introductions of [genetically-modified] domesticated salmon can increase rates to as much as 41 percent."
The study comes amid increasing fears that GM animals escaping into the wild could harm natural populations.
The offspring of genetically modified salmon and wild brown trout are faster growing and more competitive than either of their parents, the researchers found, and the aggressive hybrids suppressed the growth of GM salmon by 82 percent and wild salmon by 54 percent when all competed for food in a simulated stream in a laboratory, The Guardian reported Wednesday.
"These results emphasize the importance of stringent regulations to ensure GM animals do not escape into nature," study leader Krista Oke, an MUN undergrad, said.
