Murkowski’s ‘Frankenfish’ Amendment Fails

Jay Barrett/KMXT

A vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate today turned back an amendment by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski to require a comprehensive study before genetically-engineered salmon can be sold to consumers.

Murkowski said she was disappointed with the vote on her amendment, which failed 50-to-46, but noted it was closer than previous votes on the subject.

Her amendment to the Food and Drug Administration Reauthorization Bill would’ve required the same scientific and economic analysis be done for genetically-modified salmon as is currently done for other federal fisheries by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Aqua Bounty has developed an Atlantic salmon that would grow year-round and make it to market size quicker. The company says it would rear only sterile female salmon in a land-locked area to prevent any escape into the wild. However, the direct threat to one of the state’s largest industries has both Alaska’s senators railing against the plan. If approved, the Aqua Bounty fish would be the first genetically engineered meat product approved for consumption by humans.

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