Genotype-specific immune response in cold water fish(Transcriptomic analysis of immune response in wild, domesticated, and growth hormone transgenic salmon)

Abstract

Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the salmon genetically engineered as food in 2015, the issue of genetically modified organism (GMO) have been highlighting globally concerning food safety and environmental consequences. Recently, the Canadian government followed suit and, after carrying out a review, determined in May 20116 that the salmon does not raise concerns related to food safety. Since the early of 90s, Fisheries and Oceans Canada have accumulated successfully many scientific knowledge regarding the growth-enhanced transgenic salmon by performing various experiments. It has been confirmed that the growth-enhanced transgenic salmon has a significantly enhanced metabolism and altered life history and thus provide an excellent model for understanding biological rhythms at the molecular level. Significant opportunities exist to alter the phenotype of fish for aquaculture, industry, medicine, environmental sciences, and the pet trade. Although food safety is still main concerns to public, the issue is largely manageable. However, major challenges remain for assessment of ecological effects of transgenic fish, particularly when information is restricted to laboratory studies for species originating from large complex ecosystems. So far, reproductive containment methods (sterility) are currently highly but not completely effective. New transgenic methods on the horizon may provide effectively complete containment.