Although the Aqua Bounty salmon are genetically sterile, there is always the possibility that a batch of eggs might not be sterile.

2. Possibly destroy indigenous fish

We do not know what would happen to indigenous fish should a population of the Frankenfish salmon be accidentally released. The concern is that the genetically altered salmon would crowd native species.

3. “Playing God” and Public Policy Issues

The Aqua Bounty salmon, are, indeed, Frankenfish, and though every effort will be made to contain the salmon, there are inherent dangers when messing with Mother Nature.

4. While these fish might be bread in physically contained systems, history teaches us that eventually there will be breaches to the system either by accident or ill-intended individuals.

5. Unknown allergic impact

At this time, little study has been completed regarding the impact genetically altered salmon will have on human auto-immune systems.

AquAdvantage fish, are genetically engineered to grow twice as fast and reach maturity much earlier than natural Atlantic salmon. According to a post on Aqua Bounty’s web site, AquAdvantage® salmon’s accelerated growth comes from the addition of a growth hormone gene from the Chinook salmon. The Chinook growth hormone is the same as the Atlantic salmon growth hormone; it is simply regulated differently. Their ability to grow faster does not change the biological make-up of the fish – they are the same biologically and nutritionally as natural Atlantic salmon.

Although a Frankenfish salmon, this advancement provides compelling economic benefit to farmers (reduced growing cycle) as well as enhanced economic viability of inland fish farming operations, thus diminishing the need for ocean pens.

2. Replace dwindling population
The Aqua Bounty salmon will reduce stress on natural salmon populations. Further, they could positively impact the nation’s fish farming sector and reduce environmental damage.

3. Safe to Eat and Nutrient Rich
The FDA agrees that the Aqua Bounty Frankenfish salmon are “as safe to eat as natural Atlantic salmon.” The agency said it found “no biologically relevant differences” in vitamins, minerals or fatty acids.

4. Reproductively sterile
Salmon grown from AquAdvantage® eggs are all female and sterile, making it impossible for them to breed. In addition, in order to achieve approval, the FDA has required that physically contained systems be built, thus significantly reducing the possibility of accidental mixing of AquaAdvantage and natural populations.

5. Advances Science
It is clear that as a result of over fishing, natural fish resources are in rapid decline. For many fish species, the only hope for survival is for humans to stop fishing. Given the global demand for food this is unlikely to happen unless alternative food sources can be located or created. Short of reducing world human populations, it is incumbent upon governments, businesses, educational institutions and the general public to work together to do whatever possible to improve fish farming. Improvement of fish farming ultimately comes down to scientists who are able to create a healthier environment for fish in fish farms by eradicating disease, improving growing conditions, and improving fish health.

6. Multiple Containment Measures
The chances of Frankenfish salmon escaping from production or growing facilities and reproducing was “extremely small” thanks in part to multiple containment measures.

According to Aqua Bounty, contained, land based aqua farming systems are endorsed by most environmental groups because they are more environmentally sensible and are a responsible alternative to traditional sea-cage farming of salmon.”

AquaBounty Technologies is a biotechnology company focused on improving productivity in commercial aquaculture, an $86 billion industry and the fastest growing segment of the worldwide food industry. Aqua Bounty strives to apply biotechnology to ensure the availability of high quality seafood to meet global consumer demand.

Aqua Bounty History

AquaBounty was originally incorporated in 1991, under the name A/F Protein, to pursue the commercial development of antifreeze protein-based technology under license from the University of California at Berkeley.

In 1996, A/F Protein acquired a license to the AquAdvantage® technology from the University of Toronto and Memorial University of Newfoundland, and was subsequently reorganized in 2000, as two separate entities: A/F Protein, which retained the antifreeze protein technology; and, AquaBounty Farms, which obtained the AquAdvantage® technology.

AquaBounty Farms, headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, changed its name in 2004, to AquaBounty Technologies. In 2006, AquaBounty Technologies was listed in the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) raising $28 million in an initial public offering.

For more details about Aqua Bounty Technologies, please refer to: http://www.aquabounty.com/.

“Blue Revolution”

Aqua Bounty strives to play a significant role in the “The Blue Revolution”. The Blue Revolution is the convergence of biological sciences and molecular technology, the purpose of which is to advance the aquaculture industry, enabling large-scale, efficient, and environmentally sustainable production of high quality seafood. According to Aqua Bounty, “increased growth rates, enhanced resistance to disease, better food-conversion rates, manageable breeding cycles, and more efficient use of aquatic production systems are all important components of sustainable aquaculture industry of the future.”

Economics
The approval and success of the genetically engineered salmon is vital to Aqua Bounty Technologies success. AquaBounty originally filed for U.S. approval of the salmon in 1995. In 2009, it saw a $4.8 million net loss after restructuring in 2008 to preserve cash and focus on completing FDA’s approval process. However, on the promise of the Salmon Frankenfish, Aqua Bounty stock rose as much as 75 percent on pre-FDA decision hype.

Frankenfish Defined

Though the name Frankenfish conjures images of heinous creatures, some Frankenfish are not physically ugly at all. Some, like the Glofish, have quite spectacular colors. Although pretty, the Glofish is still a Frankenfish. For this site’s purposes, in order for a fish to be classified as a Frankenfish, the following are normally true:

a. Frankenfish are not native to the waters in which it lives; they are some how invasive

b. Frankenfish pose some level of threat – either real or imagined

c. Laws oriented to the control of the species have been passed or are pending

d. Governmental funding for the study, management or eradication of the species has been or is pending.

e. Ecosystem damage is real or imminent

Some, but not all, Frankenfish have these characteristics:

a. Information about the species is incomplete and often misleading; It is often difficult to decipher fact from fiction

b. Usually, but not always, the origin of Frankenfish begins with man’s good intentions gone awry.

c. Frankenfish are often controversial

Categories of Frankenfish

For our purposes, Frankenfish belong to one or more of the following categories:

1. Genetically Engineered Fish – Genetically engineered Frankenfish are those whose DNA has been changed by scientists to exact some desirable biological outcome. Desirable outcomes include but are not necessarily limited to enhanced colors, larger size, faster growth, better immune systems, more robust reproduction, or replenish lost fish populations.

Fish are genetically engineered for a number of reasons including:

a. Improve food production
b. Sport
c. Pets
d. Re-population of streams, rivers, lakes and oceans
e. Pollution testing (A fish developed by Singapore’s National university changes color in the presence of certain chemicals.)

Some of the headline grabbing genetically engineered fish include:

a. Aqua Bounty Technologies AquAdvantage® Salmon
b. Aqua Bounty Technologies AquAdvantage® Trout
c. Aqua Bounty Technologies AquAdvantage® Tilapia
d. Yorktown Technologies GloFish®
e. Singapore’s National University – Zebra Fish

2. Invasive (Non-native) Fish Species – Invasive (non-native) Frankenfish species include any that historically was not found in a specific body of water, but are found there today.

Fish invade new bodies of water in different ways including, but not necessarily limited to:

a. Deliberate and often illegal dumping of pets or game fish into bodies of water
b. Accidental release – The Asian Carp (also known as Bighead Carp, Silver Carp and Grass Carp) was used on catfish farms to reduce algae. Repeated storms caused overflows of fish farms and the Carp escaped into the wild. Today, the Asian Carp is wreaking havoc on the Illinois Rover.
c. Stow away – Some species “hitch rides” in the hulls of ships and boats. The owner of these vehicles accidently transports
d. Navigation of man-made waterways.

Some of the headline grabbing invasive fish species in North America include:

a. Snakehead
e. Asian carp (bighead, silver and grass carp)
f. Greenlantic Shark
g. Round Gobies
h. Zebra Muscle
i. Rusty Crayfish
j. Lion Fish

3. Strange Mutations – Frankenfish with strange and worrisome mutations are appearing across the globe. Mutations are normally attributed to pesticides, waste water runoff, and the occasional fluke of nature. Mutations due to pesticides and waster water run off are most worrisome, as entire populations of fish are rendered incapable of reproduction. Equally worrisome are the effects pollutants have up the food chain.

4. Mythical Fish – Frankenfish have had their place in mythology, and it seems improper to exclude them from an official Frankenfish site. Some Mythical fish include:

a. Jaws
b. Moby Dick
c. The Squid in 20,000 leagues under the sea
d. The Snakehad in Frankenfish – The movie

Initially offered for sale on December 11, 2003, GloFish® is a patented and trademarked, genetically engineered Zebra Danio. GloFish® was the first genetically engineered fish available to the aquatic hobbyists market.¹ These Frankenfish are sold under the trademark names Starfire Red® (“Red Danios”), Electric Green® (Green Danios), and Sunburst Orange®. (Orange Danios) for around $6 – $7 per each.² Yorktown Industries owns worldwide rights to all GloFish®.

GloFish® History and Genetic Engineering

Photo courtesy of www.glofish.com

GloFish® fluorescent fish were engineered at the National University of Singapore by Dr. Zhiyuan Gong and his team of geneticists.³ Originally, the plan was to use this Frankenfish to detect environmental toxins in waterways. Originally, geneticists added the fluorescent gene from jellyfish to Zebra Danio eggs, allowing it to integrate into the Zebra Danio’s genome. This caused the fish to be brightly fluorescent under both natural white light and ultraviolet light. Shortly thereafter, red fluorescent zebra fish were created by adding a gene from a sea coral, and yellow fluorescent zebra fish were created by adding a gene from jellyfish.⁴

The fluorescence is caused by a single gene modification made to Zebra Danio eggs before they hatch. Glofish® are born with and maintain their unique color for their entire lives. Glofish® pass this gene modification to their offspring, perpetuating this Frankenfish species.⁵

Excluding the single gene modification, GloFish® are identical to Zebra Danios. This includes general care, temperature preference, growth rate and life expectancy.

Do fluorescent fish glow?

Fluorescent fish absorb light and then re-emit it. This creates the perception that they are glowing, particularly when shining an ultraviolet light on the fish in a dark room.⁶

Does the fluorescence harm the fish?

No. Glofish® are as healthy as Zebra Danios in all ways.⁷

What if a fluorescent zebra fish is eaten?

Eating a Glofish® is the same as eating a Zebra Danio. The Glofish® fluorescence is derived from a naturally occurring gene. Just as eating a blue fish does not turn a predator blue, eating a fluorescent fish does not turn a predator fluorescent. Even though the Glofish® is a Frankenfish, eating one does not result in Frankenfish symptoms.⁸

GloFish® Gender
Unlike Zebra Danios, male and female GloFish® are virtually the same color. The only way to differentiate between male and female is by body shape. Adult males have a streamlined shape. As they mature, adult females develop a “paunch” that is identical to that of a female Zebra Danio. Female stripes have a brighter gold tone as well.

Environmental Concerns
Environmentalists are concerned that these Frankenfish could cause irreversible ecological damage to rivers and streams if released. However, Yorktown Industries emphatically asserts that Glofish® are not a threat. GloFish®, like natural Zebra Danios, can survive in tropical waters only (temperature between 64-74° F).

On December 9, 2003, FDA issued the following statement:
“Because tropical aquarium fish are not used for food purposes, they pose no threat to the food supply. There is no evidence that these genetically engineered Zebra Danio fish pose any more threat to the environment than their unmodified counterparts which have long been widely sold in the United States. In the absence of a clear risk to the public health, the FDA finds no reason to regulate these particular fish.”⁹
Since 2003, when they were first made available to aquarium enthusiasts, no ecological damage is apparent.

Photo courtesy of www.glofish.com

GloFish® Breeding
Glofish® are patented, and therefore intentional breeding is illegal without proper licensing provided by Yorktown Industries.¹⁰

However, if GloFish® spawns naturally in the hobbyist aquarium and the fry are not offered for sale, the aquarium enthusiast does not have to apply for any special license.
Glofish® offspring will be GloFish® and not Zebra Danios.

Zebra Danios will live for about five years and will grow to length of about two inches (about 3 centimeters). They thrive in slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.5-7.0) and water temperatures of 64-74 degrees Fahrenheit. They can, however, adapt to the warmer water temperatures needed by other tropical fish. Zebra Danios are surface dwelling fish that prefer moving water. Zebra Danios are shoaling fish. Nature intended Zebra Danios to live in schools, so it is best to purchase several for an aquarium.

Diet
Zebras Danios are omnivores. A diet of tropical fish flakes will keep them healthy.

Zebra Danio Gender
Females have blue and silver stripes and have a more rounded body shape. Males have blue and gold stripes. Both genders have two pairs of barbels on either side of their mouth. Females tend to be larger than males.

Zebra Danio Breeding
Zebra Danios are some of the easiest fish to breed. For best success, it is important to have two tanks, one for adults and one for spawning. Adult Zebra Danios eat their own eggs, so once spawning is complete, the adults should be moved to the adult tank. For best results, place marbles in the bottom of the spawning tank and add plants to provide the fry some cover.

During spawning, females scatter about 300 – 500 eggs across the tank floor. Eggs typically hatch in 1-3 days. Once the fry are free-swimming they can be fed liquid fry food or infusoria. After about 10 to 14 days, add brine shrimp nauplii, powdered fry food and or tropical fish flakes to their diets.

Spawning can be triggered by raising the water temperature up a few degrees near dawn. This will trick the fish into believing it is mating season.

What are the differences between GloFish® and Zebra Danios?

Aside from their brilliant color, GloFish® are the same as Zebra Danios in every way. This includes general care, temperature preferences, growth rate and life expectancy.

Legality
GloFish® are illegal to import or sell in many countries including, but not limited to the European Union, Australia, Japan, and Canada. In these countries, if caught, shop keepers face fines, prison terms and loss of business operations.
GloFish® in California

Glofish® received a positive recommendation from the California Department of Fish and Game in November 2003, and the California Fish & Game Commission voted to move forward with the process of exempting Glofish® from their ban on biotech aquatic organisms in April 2004. However, Yorktown Industries, subsequently advised by Commission attorneys that state law in California would require the completion of a formal ecological review to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act before the Commission could move forward with the approval process. This review is extremely expensive, involves procedural uncertainty, and takes several years to complete.
Due to the excessive cost and time involved in that process, as well as the uncertainty, Yorktown Industries decided skip the review.¹²

Licensing

Yorktown Technologies posted a License Notice at http://www.glofish.com/license.html. This notice outlines the restrictions on breeding or selling the fish. It also includes information on the intellectual property rights covering these fish.

GloFish® Ethics – (From GloFish®.com)
The following is Yorktown Industries Code of Ethics. This code of ethics may be found on www.Glofish.com.

Photo courtesy of www.glofish.com

Resources

Fluorescent Fish Data & Research
Discovery Genomics Research Regarding Fluorescent Zebra Fish Temperature Sensitivity (pdf)

Abstract: National University of Singapore Fluorescent Zebra Fish Viability Study

Abstract: Behavioral Study Comparing Non-Fluorescent and Fluorescent Zebra Fish

Federal & State Agency Reviews
United States Food & Drug Administration Statement Regarding GloFish® Fluorescent Fish

State of Florida Division of Aquaculture Analysis of Fluorescent Zebra Fish (pdf)

State of California Department of Fish & Game Analysis of Fluorescent Zebra Fish (pdf)

Reviews by Independent Experts

Environmental Risk Analysis by Dr. Zhiyuan Gong (pdf)

Environmental Risk Analysis by Dr. Perry Hackett (pdf)

Environmental Risk Analysis by Dr. Eric Hallerman (pdf)

Environmental Risk Analysis by Dr. William Muir (pdf)

Fluorescent Protein Toxicity Analysis by Dr. Andrew Cubitt (pdf)

General Zebra Fish Background Data
United States Geological Survey Zebra Fish Fact Sheet

FishBase Zebra Fish Species Information

History of Zebra Danio Distribution within the United States (pdf)

Additional Information

“Zebra Fish as Pollution Indicators,” National University of Singapore

Fluorescent Fish in Biomedical Research

Article: “Zebrafish Genetics,” Mayo Clinic’s Discovery’s Edge

Website: Fish For Science – Zebra Fish as a Model Organism

Fluorescent Zebra Fish in Emory University Cancer Research Study

Article: “Following the Glow: NC State Researchers Use Fluorescent Fish to Study Gene Function,” North Carolina State University
End Notes

1._{.(2003) Press Release: Yorktown Technologies Announces Early Availability of GloFish® Flourescent Fish}

2._{http://www.glofish.com/faq.asp}

3._{(2003) Press Release: Yorktown Technologies Announces Early Availability of GloFish® Flourescent Fish}

4. _{(2010) Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GloFish}

5. _{(2010) Fishmart® http://www.fishmartinc.com/glofish.htm}

6. _{(2010) Fishmart® http://www.fishmartinc.com/glofish.htm}

7. _{(2010) Fishmart® http://www.fishmartinc.com/glofish.htm}

8. _{(2010) Fishmart® http://www.fishmartinc.com/glofish.htm}

9. _{(2003) FDA Statement Regarding Glofish FDA Veterinarian Newsletter November/December 2003 Volume XVIII, No 6}

10. _{(2010) http://www.glofish.com/license.html}

11. _{(2010) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GloFish}

12. _{(2010) http://glofish.com/faq.asp#GloFishinCalifornia}

13. _{(2003 (Why GloFish won’t glow in California Sam Schuchat Wednesday, December 17, 2003)}

These fish species are considered to be threat to the human because of the unknown allergic impact on the human body. However, a little study has been completed on this matter but will it be able to adjust to human auto-immune system? Will the human body accept these science made frankenfish creatures? That is the main question here.

Another major concern is, what will be the impact of these creatures escaping into the wild? As they are great eaters, will they let other fish species survive in their territory? That’s a real threat to the native salmon frankenfish species or any other smaller fish species.

In the name of development or invention, are we creating troubles to ourselves? Who had thought of the Asian Carp destroying other fishes while they got these fishes for pond cleaning purpose in America? When they escaped into the wild they are making other fishes almost extinct.

The result of these genetically altered salmon fish or frankenfish has to be seen in the coming days. Let’s hope everything goes well for the human benefit balancing the ecosystem.

Photo Courtesy of AquaBounty Technologies