Protect the Future of Fish

PROTECT THE FUTURE OF FISH Ocean Conservancy FDA is determining whether to allow sale of first genetically engineered animal for human consumption and you may not know it. THE FACTS: WHAT ARE GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ORGANISMS? 80% More than 80% of processed foods at U.S. grocery Genetically Engineered Organisms are plants or animals experimentally engineered in the laboratory with DNA from other plants, animals, bacteria or viruses. stores are likely to contain genetically engineered (GE) ingredients and aren't labeled so you have no way to tell. HUMAN CONSUMPTION OF FISH 130,000 1989 metric tons 300,000+ 2004 metric tons Total U.S. salmon consumption increased from 130,000 metric tons in 1989 to more than 300,000 metric tons in 2004. This increase has mostly been the result of salmon farming. Between 2000-2004, Americans consumed an average of 284,000 metric tons of salmon annually. GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SALMON Salmon is the 2x FIRST GE animal under consideration for human Laboratories have engineered GE salmon to grow TWICE as fast as natural salmon. consumption WHAT'S AT STAKE Health of the Ocean Economic Well-Being of Our Health our Coastal Communities DANGERS We don't know all the consquences, but what we do know is troubling 5% Land-based facilities subject to natural disasters or human error. GE salmon is designed to be sterile but data indicates up to 5% may not be Escape route from farms to the environment for genetically modified fish or eggs. de e et ete bel be e et e t et e et et et t et et e One study shows the release of 60 GE fish into a wild population of 60,000 could lead to the extinction of the wild population in fewer than 40 generations. WHAT WE NEED GE PRODUCT Mandatory label requirements so More study before GE salmon is approved for sale consumers can make a choice WHO CARES? more than 93% of Americans want GE salmon labeled for human consumption 93% 50 COUNTRIES Nearly 50 countries-including the European Union, South Korea, Brazil & China-already require labeling of genetically engineered foods. Why should the U.S. be any different? Wild fisheries also produce enormous $90 economic benefits to coastal communities and throughout the economy estimated at more than $90 billion each year. BILLION WHAT YOU CAN DO Take a stand against genetically engineered salmon by signing our petition urging the FDA to require mandatory labeling of genetically engineered fish: oceanconservancy.org/labelGEfish SOURCES: JUSTLABELIT.ORG, FAOSTAT.FAO.ORG, ABOUTSEAFOOD.ORG, NMFS.GOV, USDA.GOV, OCEANCONSERVANCY.ORG