Talking Points

Transgenic aquatic species need to be regulated because they pose a variety of food safety and environmental concerns.

• Disease resistance genetic modifications may allow transgenic fish to absorb higher levels of toxic substances, like heavy metals, posing a health risk when consumed as a food source.
• Transgenic fish may cause food allergies because animal and plant proteins from different species are mixed and/or protein levels are increased to create transgenic species.
• Faster growth rates allow transgenic fish to reach sexual maturity earlier, allowing them to breed sooner and more often than native species, creating potential for loss of genetic diversity.
• The “Trojan gene” scenario suggests that transgenic fish may grow at a faster rate but die out earlier than native species as a result of their genetic modification. Eventually, this would lead to dramatic decreases and eventual decimation of entire native populations of fish.
• Transgenic fish may also become invasive species and consume resources upon which native species depend, destroy plants or sensitive habitat, and alter the food chain in an ecosystem.

No single federal law or agency regulatory authority covers both the food safety and environmental concerns associated with aquatic transgenic animals. The Aquatic Species Act fills this void by:

• Creating a legal definition of transgenic species and aquatic animals;
• Establishing a statutory framework within the state department of fish and wildlife (or equivalent agency) to regulate transgenic aquatic species;
• Assigning rulemaking authority to grant permits and oversee the importation, transportation, possession spawning, incubation, cultivation, or release of aquatic transgenic animals;
• Creating a framework to prevent unintentional and intentional releases of transgenic species into state waterways and coasts; and
• Requiring sterilization of transgenic species to prevent ecological damage if intentionally or unintentionally released into a natural ecosystem.

The Aquatic Transgenic Species Act will:

• Prohibit the importation, transportation, possession spawning, incubation, cultivation, or release of aquatic transgenic animals except under a permit;
• Safeguard public health by regulating exposure to transgenic organisms that may cause allergic reactions in some consumers, and have the potential ability to absorb higher levels of toxic substances, such as heavy metals;
• Help protect native species by ensuring that faster maturing transgenic fish cannot out compete them for resources, and transgenic genes are not passed into native populations causing a loss of biodiversity; and
• Enable the state department of fish and wildlife (or equivalent agency) to regulate and prevent introductions of transgenic species into the waters of the state through a permit system.