The first genetically-modified animal for human consumption could be arriving in grocery stores across the United States as early as next year.
Massachusetts-based AquaBounty Technologies has developed a biotech salmon that it plans to grow near no major body of water, in a production facility in the small town of Albany, Indiana. The company producing the breed of high-tech fish hopes to change the aquaculture industry.
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Located near no major body of water, putting the facility in the Midwest could be considered an odd location to some, but Stotish points to the reduced costs that will come with producing the fish closer to consumers.
“It makes environmentally sustainable, it reduces the carbon footprint of salmon production, and it dramatically reduces the cost of transportation,” Stotish says. “So for instance, flying 747s full of salmon to the U.S. market, we’re trucking it at ten cents a kilo instead of two dollars a kilo.”
He also says the fish will be more fresh due to limited travel time.
The Hoosier state hasn’t historically been a huge competitor when it comes to the aquaculture industry, but Stotish sees places like Indiana as the solution to a growing need.
“There is zero significant commercial aquaculture in the United States and that’s something we hope to change,” Stotish says.
Read full, original post: A Fish Out Of (Fresh)water: GMO Salmon Making Ground In Indiana
