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Alaska Senators Rally Over Thirty Members of Congress to Oppose

Frankenfish

Cite Health and Environmental Hazards, Lack of Labeling

With the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) poised to take the next step toward

approval of Genetically Engineered (GE) salmon, or Frankenfish, for human consumption,

U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich voiced serious objections to the review process and

expressed alarm at a long list of hazards potentially associated with bringing these fake fish to

market.

The Alaska Senators organized a group of 12 Senators and 20 House members in letters sentThursday to FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg opposing the FDAs finding of No

Significant Impact (FONSI) on a proposal by AquaBounty Technologies to bring GE Salmon to

market.

Murkowski and Begich have a long history of opposing Frankenfish, including working together

this past January to successfully extend the public comment period so that Alaskans would havemore time to weigh in and halt its approval. The extended period comes to an end this Friday.

The Senators write in the letter:

We believe this process has not been adequate to ensure this genetically engineered

salmon is safe for our environment and our consumers. The FDA must develop and

implement a robust review process for GE salmon, and set an appropriate path forward

for future food animal applications. Finally, we urge the FDA to also develop clear and

transparent labeling requirements should this GE Atlantic salmon or other GE food

animal product be approved

This finding is the next step toward approval of the first GE animal for human

consumption, yet the FDA did not consider broad environmental and public health risks of

commercial GE fish production in their assessment. Therefore, a more robust

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should be completed in consultation with the

Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric

Administration.

The Senators cite concerns that 5 percent of Aquabountys genetically modified eggs may not be

sterile and could pose serious environmental and public health risks to both natural fishpopulations and humans if accidentally released into the natural fish population. Risks include

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greater proliferation of Frankenfish, waste, pollutants, spreading of infectious diseases, and

consumer exposure to pathogens or antimicrobial drug resistance.

The letters also express concern with the precedent the ruling could set, as companies will likely

seek FDA approval for other genetically engineered fish such as tilapia and trout, as well as its

application for other animals.

Earlier this week, Begich and Murkowski signed on as co-sponsors to the Genetically

Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act. The bill would require clear labels for geneticallyengineered whole foods and processed foods, including fish and seafood. The measure would

direct the FDA to write new labeling standards that are consistent with U.S. labeling standards

and international standards.

Additional signers to the Senate letter were Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-

RI), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Jon Tester (D-MT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Maria Cantwell (D-

WA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT) and JeffMerkley (D-OR).

House signers included Don Young (R-AK-01), Sam Farr (D-CA-20), Mike Thompson (D-CA-

05), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-04), Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC-03), Louise Slaughter (D-NY-25),Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), Jackie Speier (D-CA-14), George

Miller (D-CA-11), Lois Capps (D-CA-24), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Rick Larsen (D-WA-

02), Jared Polis (D-CO-02), Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU-01), Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05), JamesMoran (D-VA-08), Jim McDermott (D-WA-07), Ami Bera (D-CA-07) and Chellie Pingree (D-

ME-01).

A signed copy of the Senate letter is attached.