BIO Statement on House Amendment to Block Funding for FDA Approval of GE Salmon
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, June 16, 2011) - An amendment offered on the House floor last night would ban the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from using any funding to approve the genetically engineered AquAdvantage salmon, beginning next fiscal year. A voice vote approved the amendment to an agriculture spending bill.
Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), issued the following statement in response to the House action:
“This amendment does a grave disservice to our Government’s science-based regulatory system. President Obama has called for America to lead on new technologies so as to foster new industries, more jobs and enhanced economic benefit. This amendment would present new barriers to achieving that goal.
“Allowing politicians to substitute their judgment for that of scientific experts within the Food and Drug Administration circumvents a comprehensive and well-established approval process, and sets a dangerous precedent for the development of any policies related to food production and human health.
“When it comes to the food we eat and serve our families, accredited scientific experts – not politicians – need to make all determinations about safety and health.”
*More Information on this issue is posted online:
- FDA’s analysis and other summary documents related to the AquAdvantage Salmon are posted here: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/VeterinaryMedicineAdvisoryCommittee/UCM224762.pdf
- AquaBounty’s Online Pressroom has more information on the AquAdvantage Salmon: http://www.aquabounty.com/PressRoom/
- BIO’s Online GE Animal Resource Center has more information about animal biotechnology at http://bio.org/foodag/animal_biotech/#genetic.