Eurofins develops specific DNA-based test which can distinguish genetically modified salmon from un-modified.
In a press release, the international group of laboratories Eurofins writes that it has a fast, reliable testing for genetically modified fish.
“The emergence onto the market of the first GM animal for human consumption – a salmon – means increased calls for clarity on the sale of GM produce. Eurofins responded with the introduction of the world’s first commercial test for detection of this genetically modified fish,” it wrote.
The first GM salmon, AquAdvantage found its way onto the Canadian market, and consumers’ plates, in 2017, sold by producer AquaBounty Technologies. Atlantic salmon was modified with the introduction of a gene from another salmon species, the Pacific Chinook, which regulates growth hormones allowing AquAdvantage salmon to grow both faster and year-round instead of just during the spring and summer.
This GM salmon received approval for sale in Canada in May 2016 and, according to Canadian law, does not need to be labelled. In both 2017 and 2018, 5 tonnes of the GM salmon, AquAdvantage, were sold in Canada. In 2019, the GM salmon was not only approved for sale in the USA but also for cultivation in a salmon farm in Indiana. However, in EU member states and other countries, the marketing of AquAdvantage salmon remained unapproved. As a result of this situation, Eurofins wrote that a specific method to detect AquAdvantage salmon was required.
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Eurofins say that have a method which is able to detect minute traces of the material in a sample which distinguishing genetically modified salmon from un-modified.
The method, developed by Eurofins GeneScan Technologies, is also available as a full commercial detection kit for the modified salmon. In combination with an efficient DNA extraction method, the detection of GM material is possible even in highly processed samples. The test kit can be used flexibly with existing common DNA extraction methods.
Eurofins GeneScan, located in Freiburg, Germany, represents Eurofins’ GMO testing competence centre and offers tests for all commercialised GMOs, including GM maize, soy, canola, rapeseed, cotton and rice.
