Legislature(2005 - 2006)BELTZ 211
02/08/2005 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB67 | |
| Overview by Greg O’claray, Commissioner, Department of Labor and Workforce Development | |
| SB52 | |
| SB25 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 52 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 67 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 25-GENETICALLY MODIFIED FISH
3:02:49 PM
CHAIR BUNDE announced SB 25 to be up for consideration.
SENATOR KIM ELTON, co-sponsor, said it provides that genetically
modified organism (GMO) fish and shellfish are identified on the
label. Two companies are trying to use GMO fish in fish farming,
which would become available for human consumption. The only GMO
fish in the market currently are designed for aquariums. Aqua
Bounty, a Canadian firm, has an application in front of the FDA
and is pursuing the opportunity to produce the fish in Nova
Scotian salmon farms.
3:05:11 PM
Alaska has an opportunity to provide for consumer notification
at the retail level by labeling. "It will allow the marketers of
Alaskan seafood to draw a bright line between wild and natural
and industrially produced fish and shellfish."
3:06:01 PM
CHAIR BUNDE asked if it's assumed that all GMO fish are farmed
fish.
3:06:16 PM
SENATOR ELTON answered that it is possible to have a wild GMO
fish due to escapement from farms. It's a question of when. He
said the only GMO fish are in laboratories at present.
3:07:10 PM
MS. DALE KELLY, Executive Director, Alaska Trollers Association,
supported SB 25. She read a prepared statement about how
labeling food is part of a growing health trend. Farmed Atlantic
salmon could become the first approved GMO animal product
available for human consumption.
3:09:19 PM
She said there are over 100 million acres biotech foods under
cultivation. GMO salmon convert food to energy more efficiently
than wild and it could mean better profits for farmers and
cheaper prices for consumers. Proponents say it is a way to feed
the growing world population; but, she wondered, will it harm us
and are there hidden costs. She said that antibiotics, growth
hormones, coloring additives and genes that make products
undesirable to nuisance pests are possible changes that could be
added. Without labeling, it would be hard to tell GMO salmon
from real fish at the seafood counter and people won't know to
ask.
3:12:48 PM
MS. KELLY said a lack of data is often sited and the following
concerns are echoed repeatedly.
1. There could be an enhanced genetic availability of
transgenic fish to absorb environmental toxins, such as
mercury, which causes nerve damage.
2. There is an increased risk of unsafe chemical or biological
agents entering the food chain through genetically modified
organisms.
3. There is an increased risk of allergic reaction due to
ingestion of unknown substances.
4. GMO molecules used to enhance traits could retain
bioactivity after consumption.
5. There is evidence of antibiotic resistance.
6. Potential generation of prions, disease producing proteins
is feared - (mad cow disease).
7. GMO foods might violate some religious or cultural dietary
rules.
8. There is a lack of regulation and enforcement of animal
biotechnology due to a lack of ethical and regulatory
framework.
9. The responsibilities of federal regulatory agencies for
regulating animal biotechnology and data collection are
unclear and there is no oversight of scientific research
and the commercial application of biotechnology.
3:15:22 PM
MS. KELLY said she understands there are at least six
generations of GMO salmon in the lab in Canada. She admitted
that it is fair to say the GMO fish could be beneficial to
nutritional attributes in some cases.
However, the National Academy of Science has stated
this can only be true, 'If the changed products are
labeled in order to appeal to targeted consumers and
are identifiable to those who might have medical or
other reasons to avoid such foods.'
She closed by urging the committee again to pass SB 25.
3:16:48 PM
DENNIS KELSO, University of California, Santa Cruz, said his
research is on the impacts of salmon farming on Alaska's salmon
industry and on the effects of them being introduced into
commercial markets.
3:17:24 PM
He asked why this matters to Alaska and answered:
1. Informed consumers recognize quality of products.
2. Consumers expect access to information about what's in food
they eat.
3. Besides the Atlantic salmon that are probably going to be
the first GMO fish to be approved for human consumption,
there are other GMO fish and shellfish that are in various
stages of laboratory development - more than a dozen.
3:21:45 PM
He said the trade secrets exemption applies to the cases in
Canada and it is not known where the transgenic Atlantic salmon
are in their review, but the owner of its patent will probably
market them actively. The controversy comes up in the potential
increase in production of Atlantic salmon and concerns about
impacts on wild salmon from escapes. This is an opportune time
to consider what Alaskans value and accept in the marketplace.
3:23:04 PM
CHAIR BUNDE said this will not keep people who base their
purchase on color, availability and price from buying farmed
fish.
3:23:26 PM
SENATOR ELTON agreed - people make buying decisions for many
different reasons, but for a growing number of people there is a
question of whether or not they want to purchase GM fish.
3:25:40 PM
SENATOR SEEKINS moved to pass SB 25 from committee with
individual recommendations. Senators Ellis, Davis, Ben Stevens,
Seekins and Chair Bunde voted yea; and SB 25 moved from
committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|