Zebrafish genetically engineered into fluorescent colors.
Two fish ? one modified to resemble the colors of Play-Doh and the other designed to grow to market size quickly- exemplify the march towards releasing genetically modified animals into the environment. These fish have been developed quietly over the last decade or so, representing both the first GMO animal in the pet trade in one case and the first one designed for human consumption in the other.
Normal zebrafish evolved to blend into the environment
One is a Disney-esque version of the familiar gray/blue zebrafish that are found in many home aquariums. These modified fish are commercially available in most states in fluorescent hues and were created by scientists interested in developing sentinel fish that would change color when the fish?s environment became polluted.
The idea was that by inserting coral or jellyfish genes into the fish embryos the resulting unnatural colors would only appear and glow in certain circumstances, but so far the researchers have not been able to find the key that will trigger the color changes. Meanwhile these freshwater fish ? which normally would never even contact?the salt water coral and jellyfish ? now contain genetic information from those other species, and are being marketed as entertaining oddities.
People are legitimately concerned about the consequences of placing genetically engineered aquarium fish in the hands of consumers because there are no guarantees that the fish won?t just get dumped where the conditions are right for them to survive and breed. The fish are patented so legally hobbyists can?t breed them, but unless someone tries to sell the progeny, who would know?
What makes the precedence of the psychedelic fish particularly onerous is that it opens the door for the creation of all kinds of strange things, including the possible FDA approval of the modified salmon which may soon appear on your plate without your knowing.? These modified Atlantic salmon, with genetic material from Chinook salmon (for size) and an eel-like fish called a ?pout? (chose for its year round growth) quickly grow abnormally large and make it to market in record time.
The Center for Food Safety has more detailed information on this issue, and is circulating a petition to encourage the FDA to be more vigilant before approving the genetically engineered salmon. Although the bioengineering company is fighting it, it is your right to have these fish clearly labeled
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