Category Archives: 23/October/2017 – Table Talk: Engineering a Better Fish

Genetically Modified Salmon

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Last week I had the chance to sit down with Tyler and a few Rose Scholars to discuss the impact of genetically modified salmon in the Canadian market.  Before I walked into the dining hall room, I had read the recommended article and started to formulate my opinion on the topic.  Initially, I was not in favor of genetically modifying animals such as salmon.  I thought the idea of altering the genetic code of animals is a slippery path, but I was curious to hear others’ opinion.

When I sat down with the group, I heard the different arguments for genetically modified salmon and realized that this food source will be eventually viewed as genetically modified crops.  Initially, consumers like myself will have the idea that genetically modified organisms are unnatural.  However, it is important to note that animals are currently being injected with chemicals harmful to consumers.  I believe that if companies selling genetically modified salmon are priced lower than their natural counterparts, people will respond to the incentives and purchase the salmon.

I enjoyed this discussion with the other Rose Scholars and it was interesting to hear everyone’s opinions.  I thought our discussion on the environmental risk of introducing genetically modified salmon was particularly interesting.  In conclusion, while genetically modifying animals could present new opportunities, it could also disrupt the natural ecosystem.

GMOs and public fears

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In the table talk, we talked about GMO animals and how that may have more of a place in our lives in the near future now that GMO salmon is officially coming on to the market. I personally don’t eat meat, so I’m not much of a stakeholder in the field of GMO animals, but I can definitely see how this can impact all of us.

The appeal of GMO salmon (and GMO animals in general) is that the animals can be raised fast (they grow faster), and so can be sold cheaper. So, that may mean cheaper/more accessible meat for the public. However, the concerns: some people don’t know if there are any long term side-effects to eating GMO produce, and some worry that it may mess up the livelihood of fish farmers, etc. My own concerns doesn’t really involve either of those–GMO produce can’t possibly be any worse than what we are currently pumping/injecting into our livestock now, and produce farmers, whether it be cattle, fish, or chicken–are usually all employed by one single big corporation anyways–my concern revolves around the environment and how this change can adversely impact it. GMO farming doesn’t make farming livestock any more sustainable, just faster. And faster is not better, it just means more can be produced in less time. GMO farming doesn’t improve the lives of the livestock animals–farmed salmon will still be farmed salmon, living in small, cramped, unclean spaces, but GMO farming would encourage even more of that to happen, because more salmon would be produced. People, motivated by cheap salmon, will buy more salmon (or at least buy the same amount), which doesn’t help the carbon footprint of eating meat at all. In the very end, the big corporations that are creating and distributing these GMO salmons are making a lot of money, but the animals suffer, and the environment suffers. GMO farming can have a lot of potential, but when money is involved, things usually aren’t done in the interests of everyone involved; just in the interest of the person who gets the money. So–maybe it’s a good idea, maybe it’s not–it’s interesting to see where this will take us.

Animal Exploitation for Profit, part 9384758375

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At the monday table talk, we discussed the implications of genetically engineered farm animals. Recently, a company has started selling salmon that has been genetically modified to grow twice as quickly as normal salmon. Genetically engineered plants have been on the market for years, but animals have not yet been sold in the United States. According to one of the scholars, the term “GMO” is not a technical term, as even selectively bred plants can be seen as “genetically modified.” We spent a great deal of time discussing whether GMO meat will have to be labeled as such, and whether it should be labeled as such. I agree with the scholar who stated that even if GMO products wouldn’t need to be labeled, anyone producing non-GMO foods will label their own products as “non-GMO” because it is a selling point for them. Of all of the ideas, this made the most sense to me, as you can see it in trends involving current food products. Fruit grown with pesticides aren’t labeled as “pesticide-grown,” but pesticide-free products are labelled as “organic.” Generally foods that appeal to these “conscious” consumers are labeled with whatever unusual selling point – vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, free range – instead of the other way around, due to the financial incentive for the producers. Someone mentioned that all GMO products will be legally required to be labeled as such, but if even QR-codes would suffice as “labels,” I think it is still likely that animal farmers will begin selling their products with GMO-free labels in order to clearly differentiate their food products

One topic that I would have liked to have discussed more is the idea of animal welfare and GMO’s. I am opposed to the creation of genetically engineered farm animals not because of health concerns, but because of the implications for animals’ wellbeings. The creation of GMO farm animals will only make animal agriculture more popular and more prevalent, resulting in more animals suffering and dying for human consumption. In addition, the genetic modifications made will be whatever results in the most profit for the producers, without taking into consideration how they might add to the suffering of the animals. For example, growing at twice their normal rate is likely physically painful and mentally traumatizing for the salmon in the article, but this is irrelevant to the fish farmers, who only care about how this makes their production cheaper.