WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Genetically-modified salmon that was approved for sale by the US government may cause allergies and hormonal disbalance, the Institute for Responsible Technology Executive Director Jeffrey Smith told Sputnik on Friday.
"The risk of allergies, hormonal disruption, novel proteins and other serious issues, known and unknown, exist in these fast growing, gene-altered salmon," Smith said.
On Thursday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved genetically engineered salmon as fit for human consumption, allowing the first GMO animal products to be sold in the United States.
"As more and more Americans are turning away from consuming genetically modified foods, we hope consumer rejection will be achieved before the salmon is released onto the market," Smith added.
The genetically engineered salmon was developed by AquaBounty Technologies, and will be raised in their land-based facilities in Panama and Canada.