GM fish up-date

[geno@zap.a2000.nl]

On 2 May 2001, at 4:23, Transgenic Fish and Marine Life wrote:

Transgenic Fish and Marine Life (transgenicfish@iatp.org)
Posted:
05/02/2001  By  mritchie@iatp.org
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Date: Wed, 02 May 2001 08:50:30 +0100
From: Don Staniford <don.staniford@virgin.net>
Reply-To: don.staniford@virgin.net
: GM fish: press up-date

1) NUIG playing with words over GM salmon research: Intrafish (2nd
May) 2) Norwegian hypocrisy over GM fish?: Intrafish (2nd May) 3)
Boosting output: It's in the genes - Biggest impediment to boosting
output of marine products is the presence of viruses: Worldcatch
(1st
May) 4) GM fish and fish feed links
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I am currently conducting a review of GM fish with a view to writing a
report.  Therefore, any further web-links, GM fish references, news
stories or other information on GM fish is always gratefully received.
Thanks for your co-operation and to everyone who has already provided
a great deal of interesting material.

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Intrafish, 2nd May

NUIG playing with words over GM salmon research

Bertrand Charon

The National University of Ireland, Galway recently denied it was or
had "ever carried out research on GM fish in the past". However, while
actual GM fish may not have been grown in Ireland, research on genetic
material to be inserted in transgenic salmon was definitely carried
out by the National Diagnostic Centre (NDC), part of NUI Galway.  Dr
Terry Smith who is now general manager of the NDC in Galway stated in
a recent copy of the Galway Advertiser that: "The National Diagnostics
Centre at NUI, Galway is not carrying out any research on genetically
modified fish, nor has it ever carried out research on GM fish in the
past," […] "The centre has an active research programme - and has had
for over a decade - which aims to investigate the basic biology and
molecular genetics of fish, in particular Atlantic salmon and rainbow
trout."  However, the present writer had spoken and interviewed Dr
Smith on two occasions in February and March 1995 in relation to
transgenic salmon research and Dr Smith at the time (on the record)
acknowledged his and his team’s part in a study looking at reversible
sterility in transgenic salmon. While the team’s work did not involve
working directly on fish, the aim of that particular study – and there
have been other EU-sponsored studies in which Terry Smith has been
named (see below) - was to design a gene which was to produce
antisense mRNA which would in turn neutralise mRNA – hence blocking
the manufacture of GnRH essential to sperm formation (and thus
provoking sterility) in genetically modified salmon. "There is no
point in making a fish sterile unless the process can be reversed," Dr
Smith had said at the time. (Read also: New Scientist, 'Escape to
sterility for designer fish' 27th May 1995, p22 & Technology Ireland,
'Genes to control escapees' May 1995, p9 – by Bertrand Charron).

NUIG has been named in several EU-funded projects bearing the title
"The development of transgenic animals (including fish) with novel
characteristics" (Projects' references: BAP*0179, BAP*0147, BAP*0124
and BAP*0125; in the latter NUIG was the ‘Prime contractor’). These
projects’ objectives are defined as follow: "The possibility to alter
the genetics of domestic animals and fish in a predictable manner is
clearly very attractive: - Scientifically, this research should
contribute to a better understanding of a foreign gene line of
animals; - technically, it should improve the practical methods of
transfer; -economically it should provide a short cut for the
improvement of the genetics of animals, for instance in obtaining
animals growing at a faster rate.  "Dr Smith is named as the ‘Prime
Contractor’ of the study entitled "Biological containment of
transgenic fish and risk assessment of inter-species gene transfer"
(Project reference: BIO2942039). The EU document stated that "the
first and major objective is to produce fish which are transgenically
sterile by inhibition of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
synthesis using antisense GnRH mRNA. The second objective is to
develop methods to optimise nuclear localisation, integration and
expression of transgenes in fish embryos and to produce fish which are
transgenic for GnRH antisense message as well as chosen reporter
genes.

"Another project bearing Mr Smith’s name as the ‘Prime Contractor’ is
Project BIO4970554 - "Assessment of biological containment and gene
flow in transgenic sterile fish" - under the 4th Fourth Framework
Programme which was completed late last year. 'The ultimate goal of
this project is to develop molecular methods leading to integration
and expression of new beneficial transgenes in fish and biological
containment of these fish, with the ability to transmit these trait
under controlled conditions,' states the Cordis document.  Dr Smith
declined to comment his involvement in any of these projects nor did
he want to offer any additional comment to Mrs McKenna’s press release
(see below). He chose to hang up the phone when IntraFish contacted
him.

Background of the denial
The denial came as Green Party Member of European Parliament, MEP
Patricia McKenna released a statement earlier in April stating that:
"It appears that as far back as 1994, the EU contracted research work
with University College Galway on transgenic fish. One contract shows
that 1.1 million Ecus were granted to a series of universities
throughout Europe including Galway, to carry out research into the
identification of genes involved in early fish development with
emphasis on genes responsible for growth research." The Green Party’s
press release continues: "The latest project registered on the Cordis
research database website of the European Commission was completed
last January and looked into the ‘assessment of biological containment
and gene flow in transgenic sterile fish’. The site explained that the
goal of the project was to assess the effectiveness of induced
sterility in fish. The project ultimately would produce transgenic
fish expressing new potentially beneficial genetic traits. The three
species used were zebrafish, rainbow trout and tilapia. In another
instance, a project completed in June 2000 looked into the risk
assessment of inter-species transfer and also at the transfer of
sterility in fish. All projects were headed by Dr Terry Smith."
Meanwhile, the Irish Sea Fisheries Board (BIM) denied […] that there
was any GM fish farming projects in Ireland and a spokesperson said,
"the fish farming industry and the State are totally against the
introduction of GM fish in Ireland because we don’t need it and
because of the risks".

http://www.intrafish.com
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Intrafish, 2nd May

Norwegian hypocrisy over GM fish?

Maresa Fagan

The Norwegian fish farming industry has been branded ‘hypocritical’
for placing a ban on GM fish research for environmental reasons. The
main reason for towing this line, according to a leading GM scientist,
is to protect sales and image. Professor Norman Maclean, a scientist
at Southampton University specialising in the field of transgenic fish
believes that Norway among other international players are towing the
anti-GM line to protect sales rather than the environment.  Maclean
queried the hypocrisy of the Norwegian fish farming industry, in that
a ban has been enforced on any transgenic research on all species,
excluding the tropical zebrafish, for environmental reasons.  "Often
the salmon farmers in Norway have tried to give the impression that
they are very much against transgenics because it is bad for the
environment but it is a silly argument considering the incredible harm
done to the environment already," Maclean told IntraFish.

He also believes that people are insufficiently worried about the
ecological impacts of salmon farming in general, such as the fragility
of pelagic stocks and the impacts of sea lice and escapes on wild
stocks.  Maclean added that several other players in the global
aquaculture industry have taken this stance but he dubbed the fact
that Norway has enforced a ban on GM research on any fish species
other than zebrafish as particularly ‘hypocritical’.  "I do think it’s
global. But the Norwegians have had an embargo on any work on
transgenic fish… other than zebrafish....I feel that this is very
hypocritical that they have banned research because they thought it
would harm their sales but at the same time their own activities have
been ecologically very destructive. I feel that that hypocrisy is
something that the public is not very aware of," Maclean said.

http://www.intrafish.com
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Worldcatch, 1st May

Boosting output: It's in the genes
- Biggest impediment to boosting output of marine products is the
presence of viruses

Yomiuri Shimbun

Scientists have been trying to solve the mysteries of some of the
unique characteristics of fish in an effort to increase the output of
marine products and revitalize Japan's once-flourishing fisheries
industry. The research on fish has been jointly carried out by experts
in genomics and fisheries. Prof. Nobuyoshi Shimizu of Keio University,
who played a key role in the human genome project, has been acting as
an adviser in the research.  Shimizu said the primary target of his
research is the oyster. In Japan, oysters are popular ingredients in
nabe hot-pot dishes and fried dishes. One of the peculiarities of the
shellfish is that it can change its sex from male to female and vice
versa.  Shimizu hopes to solve the mystery of this characteristic. He
said success in the research could potentially increase the output of
popular marine products such as salmon and herring roe.

In the research, Shimizu has been making full use of developments in
studies analyzing the genomes of humans, mice and vinegar flies.
Shimizu compared information on genes that are believed to be active
in oysters' spermaries and ovaries with the flies' relevant genes, the
function of which is already known. From the comparison he discovered
two genes that are believed to be involved in the determination of
sex. Shimizu said he also made some progress in the analysis of the
structure of the oyster's genome that might shed light on the process
of sex transformation.  Studies are also being carried out on other
marine creatures such as shrimp, flounder and tilapia, an African
freshwater fish, with the aim of identifying genes related to their
resistance to disease, the speed of their growth and the taste of
their meat.

The biggest impediment to the boosting of marine produce is the
presence of viruses.  A group of scientists led by Prof. Nobuaki
Okamoto of Tokyo University of Fisheries has developed a method of
determining which fish among the same species are resistant to disease
by checking their DNA. The group chose rainbow trout for its research.
They raised two family lines of rainbow trout for several generations.
One line is resistant to disease and only between 5 percent and 10
percent of the fish died after being infected with a virus. The other
line, however, is less resistant to disease and more than 95 percent
of them died after being afflicted with the virus.  The group tried to
identify genes related to the resistance by crossbreeding the two
lines. They discovered two genes, which are both believed to function
in such a way as to help spur resistance to disease.  To check whether
the two genes were functioning properly, researchers examined repeated
arrangements of genes in DNA.

It is unprecedented to genetically explain resistance to viruses. By
using the same technique to identify genes, it is possible to breed
disease-resistant fish.  Okamoto said: "Previously, the cultivation of
fish has been carried out by catching some fish and simply multiplying
them. In the future, however, it will become possible to increase the
number of fish with superior characteristics by using genome
technology to distinguish them from other naturally occurring fish."
Meanwhile, progress is being made in the actual manipulation of fish
genes.  Goro Yoshizaki, a researcher at Tokyo University of Fisheries,
has succeeded in extracting so-called primordial germ cells from
rainbow trout. The cells constitute the basis of sperm and ova.  When
scientists conducted genetic experiments on fish in the past, they
needed large quantities of fish to enable them to check whether genes
had been properly implanted in them. In Canada, a fishery firm used an
entire island for fish cultivation.

According to Yoshizaki, the genetic modification of fish will be much
easier and require less space if primordial germ cells can be used.
The cells are helpful for studying the function of a specific gene
because they can be used to create fish in which the gene is made not
to function.  In terms of other applications of the cell technology,
Yoshizaki hopes to create fish that can be eaten even by people with
allergies or diabetes, and to create tasty fish with more balanced fat
levels.  Another possible application, according to Yoshizaki, is to
have the fish of one species lay eggs of another target species by
implanting them with primordial germ cells from the target species.
For example, breeding large migratory fish, such as tuna, requires a
huge area. But, if scientists could make flounder lay tuna eggs, it
would be possible to raise tuna in much smaller areas until they
became fry. Yoshizaki, in cooperation with scientists from Tokyo
University, has also been working on technology to create useful
proteins, such as hormones using rainbow trout eggs, that they expect
will be able to function like "biological factories."  Experts in the
industry think that such technology has the potential to dramatically
change the fortunes of the fisheries industry.

To see more of The Daily Yomiuri On-Line, go to
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/daily

The Yomiuri Shimbun. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2001

http://www.worldcatch.com
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Useful fish feed sites:

http://www.nutreco.com
http://www.ewos.com
http://www.biomar-fishfeed.com

See also Intrafish:
An IntraFish.com Industry Report, 21st March
"Fishmeal and oil or vegetable alternatives: Will high volume
production spoil premium fish products?"

Including:
"In order to provide the fish with feed that has the right combination
of fatty acids genetically modified soya oil may offer a solution. But
will fish feed manufacturers and fish farmers dare to provoke
consumers by producing fish that has an image not only as a
‘grass-eater’, but also as a product where someone has messed about
with the genes?"

http://www.intrafish.com/intrafish-analysis/fml_2001_12_eng/print.php3
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Useful web-sites on GM salmon:

US Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the
President: View the CEQ/OSTP salmon case study of environmental
regulation for biotechnology http://www.ostp.gov/html/012201.html US
Food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov "A new kind of fish
story: the coming of biotech animals"
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2001/101_fish.html "Questions and
answers about transgenic fish"
http:/www.fda.gov/cvm/index/consumer/transgen.htm "Will transgenic
fish be the first ag-biotech food-producing animals?"
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/index/fdavet/1999/may.html "Trangenic fish
developments: are transgenic fish and shellfish in our future?"
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/biotechnology/shellfish/index.htm "Transgenic
fish developments: are transgenic catfish our future?"
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/biotechnology/catfish/index.htm

A/F Protein http://www.afprotein.com
AquaBounty http://www.aquabounty.com

BBC News On-line
Would you eat GM salmon? (22nd September 2000)
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/newsid_709000/70919
8.stm Links to "Giant GM salmon on the way" (11th April 2000), "Trojan
gene could wipe out fish" (1st December 1999) and "GM salmon prompts
safety pledge" (29th July 1999)

Other news stories:
"Fish or foul?  Coming soon to a dinner table near you: DNA filet"
http://motherjones.com/magazine/MA01/xgenic.html "The aquaculture
isn’t quite so refined without biotechnology"
http://imprint.uwaterloo.ca/issues/032098/3Science/science01.shtml
"Something fishy" http://www.ucsusa.org/Gene/su98.fishy.html
"Biotechnology in aquaculture: the future of fish farming"
http://www.agwest.sk.ca/inffeb98.html

http://www.biotech-info.net/super_fish.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/1999/03/04/text/p19s1.html
http://www.seagrantnews.org/news/minnesota.html

Greenpeace http://www.greenpeace.org
"Genetically engineered fish: swimming against the tide of reason"
http://www.greenpeace.org/~geneng/reports/gmo/bggmo.htm#f

http://www.greenpeace.org/~geneng/
Animation showing the dangers of GE fish (requires Flash plugin)
GE fish question and answers
GE fish varieties under development
AFP Company Factsheet - info on one of the companies behind GE fish.
GE fish - potentially devastating environmental hazard GE fish -
swimming against the tide of reason (pdf document) Jean-Michel
Cousteau's statement on GE fish Scientists statement on the dangers of
GE fish (pdf document) BC salmon farmers reinforce stance against
trangenics - press release from the BC Salmon Farmers Association

Video available from Greenpeace US, Tel: +1 2023192403; Pictures
available from Greenpeace International Photo Desk, Tel: +31
20 55249580; High-bandwidth users can view current and archive
streaming Greenpeace videos at: http://www.tappedintogreenpeace.org

See also:
"Performance Standards for Safely Conducting Research With Genetically
Modified Fish and Shellfish"
http://www.nbiap.vt.edu/perfstands/psmain.html

Trojan gene:
http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/0002.Muir.trojan.html

Other university research centres:
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/dept/faa/facil6.html
http://vm.uconn.ed
http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/publish/research/97/A19.htm
http://www.chula.ac.th
http://ocean.org.il/nio/staff/3.htm
http://www.sinica.edu/tw
http://www.mun.ca/osc/faculty/fletcher.html
http://www.umaine.edu/mainesci/Archives/MolecularBiology/biotechfish.h
tm http://bed.soton.ac.uk/research
http://www.swan.ac.uk/biosci/research/dofs/dofs1.htm
http://www.stir.ac.uk/Departments/NaturalSciences/Aquaculture/Rep&Gen/
RepSta ff.html http://www.abdn.ac.uk/zoology
http://www.mis.nuigalway.ie http://www.aims.gov.au

Mark Ritchie, President
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
2105 First Ave. South
Minneapolis, Minnesota  55404 U.S.A.
mritchie@iatp.org   www.iatp.org
www.wtowatch.org, www.farmbillwatch.org
www.gefoodalert.org, www.sustain.org/biotech




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