The letter outlined the serious concerns of US and international scientists with what they consider to be a “damaged” FDA review/approval system for animal biotechnology applications and calls for President Obama to help in resolving this issue which affects global food security.
This concern stems from non-scientific, subjective considerations inserted into the process.
The scientists also convey their warning that this issue will continue to affect the ability of US and international scientists to respond to the impacts of human and animal disease and climate change, and is negatively impacting the spirit of invention, innovation and scientific breakthrough, all hallmarks of American ingenuity.
In short, US technology is moving to countries where the approval process is deemed objective, science-based, predictable and reliable.
In the letter, the scientists state that they "respectfully request FDA issue its final regulatory decision on the AquAdvantage® Salmon, developed by AquaBounty Technologies Inc., an application which has been before the agency for 19 years this month."
September 19 2014 marked four years since the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine’s (CVM) Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee (VMAC) met in Washington, DC, to review the AquaBounty Technologies Inc. application and the underlying scientific submission.
The VMAC formally concluded the scientific data showed the AquAdvantage Salmon® grew faster than conventional Atlantic salmon, was nutritionally equivalent to conventional Atlantic salmon, and the genetic construct did not harm the salmon, among other positive findings.
