Research
Transgenic Fish Caution/No Health Risk
Sep 08, 2009 06:43 PM
Scientists advise
caution with transgenic fish
SWEDEN - Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Researchers studying transgenic fish at the University of Gothenburg at the behest of the European Union (EU) have highlighted the potential of the fish to revolutionise fish farming but warned against its open system cultivation.
"Until further notice, transgenic fish should be bred in closed systems on land," specified Fredrik Sundström at the Department of Zoology of the university.
The fast-growing fish, however, can go a long way towards taking the weight off endangered and overexploited wild fish stocks, he noted.
The scientists furnished fish with transgenes, or genes from other organisms, and were able to produce fish that can grow substantially faster and can resist diseases with greater resilience. It was found that fish genes can be modified to handle different situations more smoothly, such as survival and spawning in colder temperatures, and yield higher production volumes.
Regardless, if these fish should enter the wild, they may cause harmful effects to the ecosystem.
In terms of toxins, these fish ...
See the source (http://tinyurl.com/l54zfs) for the full story.
SWEDEN - Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Researchers studying transgenic fish at the University of Gothenburg at the behest of the European Union (EU) have highlighted the potential of the fish to revolutionise fish farming but warned against its open system cultivation.
"Until further notice, transgenic fish should be bred in closed systems on land," specified Fredrik Sundström at the Department of Zoology of the university.
The fast-growing fish, however, can go a long way towards taking the weight off endangered and overexploited wild fish stocks, he noted.
The scientists furnished fish with transgenes, or genes from other organisms, and were able to produce fish that can grow substantially faster and can resist diseases with greater resilience. It was found that fish genes can be modified to handle different situations more smoothly, such as survival and spawning in colder temperatures, and yield higher production volumes.
Regardless, if these fish should enter the wild, they may cause harmful effects to the ecosystem.
In terms of toxins, these fish ...
See the source (http://tinyurl.com/l54zfs) for the full story.