Genetically Modified Fish

Letter from The New York Times,

March 19, 2013

“Don’t Be Afraid of Genetic Modification,” by Emily Anthes (Sunday Review, March 10), disregards legitimate objections to genetically engineered salmon from scientists, academics and industry. The rigorous scientific analysis alluded to by Ms. Anthes simply does not exist.

The Food and Drug Administration is not an expert on fisheries or the environment, and it has failed to consult properly with those who are. The agency’s analysis relies exclusively on company data, including a “study” on allergy risks that involved 18 fish, only 6 of which were the kind bound for consumers. Ms. Anthes’ blindness to these scientific shortcomings mirrors her misguided belief that genetically engineered animals offer answers to complex problems. Expensive and impractical G.E. animals are merely Band-Aid solutions to issues like childhood diarrhea and animal disease, failing to address underlying causes like poverty and unsanitary conditions.

These experimental animals are not the silver bullet that Ms. Anthes would lead us to believe. Rather, they distract precious resources and attention from concrete solutions. Providing clean drinking water or protecting dwindling fisheries solves numerous problems; G.E. animals will only create new ones.

COLIN O’NEIL
Director of Government Affairs
Center for Food Safety
Washington, March 12, 2013