‘No Frankenfish’ button becomes Alaskan senator’s Halloween treat

{mosads}Begich proposed legislation earlier this month that would make it illegal to sell, posses, and/or purchase genetically-altered salmon in the U.S. It has gained support from his Republican counterpart in the Senate, Lisa Murkowsi (R-Alaska).

The legislation is aptly titled after the mythical winged horse, the PEGASUS Act— the Prevention of Escapement of Genetically Altered Salmon in the United States Act.

Both Alaskan senators have questioned the economic and environmental impact of introducing genetically-altered salmon into the national food supply.

“Turning the genes of salmon into a genetic super-growth formula sounds like a plot for the next ‘Deep Blue Sea,’ ‘Jaws’ or some other horror movie,” Begich said. “Wild-caught, well-managed salmon is one of our nation’s richest resources and best foods. There’s no need to create fake Frankenfish to try and replace it.”

Murkowsi introduced similar legislation that would restrict funds to the FDA required to approve the genetically-altered salmon application. It was proposed as an amendment to the agriculture appropriations bill that made it to the floor earlier this month.