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Concern or opposition to genetic engineering (GE) is often labeled as anti-scientific and ill-informed. Sure but there is also plenty of science to suggest we should be concerned about risk to wild species and nature from #GMOs. Thread
Hybridization has already occurred with plants.
‘Studies of creeping bentgrass uncovered clear hybridization events between GM crops and wild grass’ http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/challenging-evolution-how-gmos-can-influence-genetic-diversity/
‘Studies of creeping bentgrass uncovered clear hybridization events between GM crops and wild grass’ http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/challenging-evolution-how-gmos-can-influence-genetic-diversity/
What about GE Atlantic salmon being grown in PEI? Scientists from Cdn Dept of Fisheries-a cautious bunch- conducted a risk assessment. Their risk equation: risk=hazard x exposure.
https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2019/2019_014-eng.pdf
https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas-sccs/Publications/SAR-AS/2019/2019_014-eng.pdf
Hazard(hybridization) to wild salmon-high.
‘The environmental hazard assessment for EO-1α Salmon ranged from negligible to high…with highest ratings through trophic interactions with other organisms and intraspecific hybridization.’
‘The environmental hazard assessment for EO-1α Salmon ranged from negligible to high…with highest ratings through trophic interactions with other organisms and intraspecific hybridization.’
Exposure-low because of triploidy and land-based system. So hazard(high) x exposure(low)= low risk.
This was for one project. No perhaps you see the problem. Each project will get a low ranking, but with each project, exposure increases and thus risk.
This was for one project. No perhaps you see the problem. Each project will get a low ranking, but with each project, exposure increases and thus risk.
In a US court case challenging the FDAs approval of GE salmon the judge spotted the problem.
‘Obviously, as the company’s operations grow, so too does the risk of engineered salmon escaping.’
https://earthjustice.org/sites/default/files/files/ge_salmon_ruling.pdf
‘Obviously, as the company’s operations grow, so too does the risk of engineered salmon escaping.’
https://earthjustice.org/sites/default/files/files/ge_salmon_ruling.pdf
The judge told the FDA to go back and reassess the risk to wild salmon. https://salmonbusiness.com/court-orders-fda-to-reassess-environmental-impact-of-gm-salmon/
Human error, natural disasters, regulatory slippage, corruption, too much pot in the morning…all these factors come into play over time. A scientist told me off the record that over time he sees the probability of hybridization of wild Atlantic salmon as approaching 100%.
At the PEI facility the company is growing GE salmon and non GE salmon in the same operation. What could go wrong?
Our concern with the approval and commercial production of GE salmon is not only about the risk to wild salmon but the precedent it sets. The genome of any wild species, from fish to amphibians to mammals, is now game.
Jennifer Doudna, co-inventor of CRISPR, has said the following:
‘What made CRISPR so unique is that it's easy to use, relative to other things, and made it a tool that could be adopted widely by essentially anybody with a little bit of molecular biology training.’
‘What made CRISPR so unique is that it's easy to use, relative to other things, and made it a tool that could be adopted widely by essentially anybody with a little bit of molecular biology training.’
If you are a scientist, conservationist, nature lover, angler, hunter, animal lover or enjoy a walk in the woods, this statement should give you pause.
Please consider signing this petition. We'lalioq. Merci. Thank-you.
https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2877
Please consider signing this petition. We'lalioq. Merci. Thank-you.
https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2877
