Alaska News

FDA approval of genetically modified salmon draws ire of Alaska congressional delegation

JUNEAU — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she's "livid" at the federal Food and Drug Administration's approval of genetically modified salmon for human consumption.

Murkowski and the other members of Alaska's congressional delegation criticized the decision in a joint news release Thursday.

Murkowski said it's imperative that proposals she's offered to mandate the labeling of so-called "Frankenfish" become law.

U.S. Rep. Don Young said the FDA was embarking on a science experiment with what he calls its "harebrained" decision. Both he and U.S. Sen Dan Sullivan said at a minimum, the fish should be labeled.

The FDA decision came in an agency review of AquAdvantage Salmon, engineered by the Massachusetts-based company AquaBounty.

FDA said the fish are safe to eat and would not have a significant environmental impact.

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