Currently, there are several companies developing genetically engineered fish, and at least one company, A/F Protein, that is presently requesting approval from the FDA to market genetically engineered fish to consumers. FDA is currently considering allowing sales of genetically engineered fish to fish-farming operations and consumers, making them the first genetically engineered animals to land on consumer's dinner plates.

"FDA is not considering the food safety and environmental risks that these animals may pose," said Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for Food Safety and lead attorney of the petition. "These foods should not be approved for human consumption until further study indicates that they are safe for consumers."

FDA is the only federal agency that is currently reviewing the licensing of genetically engineered fish, but the agency falls far short of being capable of proper review of the potential environmental impacts of genetically engineered fish. Currently there are no federal laws specifically governing the regulation of genetically engineered animals destined for human consumption. FDA has made the informal decision to regulate genetically engineered fish under its authority to review animal drugs.

"The FDA, without even consulting the government's own environmental experts, is rapidly and carelessly moving toward the approval of a transgenic fish that will further exacerbate the challenges faced by endangered species, including salmon in the drought-stricken Pacific Northwest," explained Congressman Peter DeFazio, D - Oregon.

A/F Protein is ready to market these fish widely to fish-farming operations. The company told the Washington Post last October that they have orders for as many as 15 million genetically engineered salmon eggs. A/F Protein¹s genetically engineered fish contains a growth hormone gene from a chinook salmon and an antifreeze protein gene promoter from an ocean pout that keeps the growth hormone active causing the fish grow as much as ten to thirty times faster than normal salmon.

Experts have expressed concerns over the environmental impacts of genetically engineered fish. Some fear that they will have a mating advantage over wild fish due to their increased growth rate, but a significant reduction in offspring viability.

"Genetically engineered fish pose serious risk to wild populations of fish," said Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman¹s Associations. "For example, if just 60 genetically engineered salmon escaped from their breeding pens and joined a population of wild salmon, the wild population could become extinct in 40 generations," Grader continued. "This is especially concerning following the news of escapes of 115,000 farm raised Atlantic salmon from Washington State waters in 1999 and 300,000 Atlantic salmon escaping in Maine waters in 2000."

In addition to environmental concerns, the groups raised serious public health concerns surrounding genetically engineered fish. According to Kimbrell, "Similar to other genetically engineered foods, these fish pose novel food safety concerns including potential allergic reactions and increased toxicity to humans."

Last year Representative Kucinich offered an amendment to an Appropriations bill to require an environmental study on genetically engineered fish.

"If the FDA and environmental agencies do not protect consumers and our environment, I will work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to do so."