What's wrong with the fish?

After the first transgenic fish was born in China, 1984, application of genetic engineering in fish has an increasing popularity in recent decades. Latest technologies make it possible to integrate, express and pass the founder’s genome to the next generations. Genetic modified (GM) fish benefit the mankind by solving food crisis. Yet, it is still a controversial issue, due to the potential hazard of the transgenic fish to the ecosystem.

Transgenic fishes are produced by introducing foreign DNA/ RNA fragments into nucleus, cytoplasm of gametes or somatic cells either physically or chemically. On top of that, the foreign gene has to be made available to be reproduced and expressed in the host cells before the translocation of the original DNA proceeded. Thus, characteristics, like anti-freezing and rapid-fattening, can be brought in to raise the fish production rate. However, apart from the technique’s maturity, environmental impact is a hot topic of the transgenic fish. The main concern is that if those GM fishes are released to the natural environment, owing to the selected traits which enhance the competitiveness to both biotic and abiotic resources and the sustainability in harsh environment, they may endanger the survival of the wild type or even other natural occurring species.

Seeing that there is a huge potential benefit of the transgenic fish to the human society, we should never stop the research and development of the transgenic fishes. It’s generally believed that the eco-disaster will eventually be solved as the technique and the monitoring system become better developed.

References:
Primary:
Tsai, H.J. 2003, "Transgenic Fish: Researches and Applications", J. Fish. Soc. Taiwan, vol.30, no.4, pp.263-277 Access article here

Fu, C. Hu, W. Wang, Y. & Zhu, Z. 2005, "Developments in transgenic fish in the People's Republic of China.", Rev. sci. tech. Off. Int. Epiz., vol.24, no.1, pp.299-307 Access article here

Secdonary:
Kapuscinski, A. R. , Hallerman, E. M. 1990, " Transgenic Fish and Public Policy: Anticipating Environmental Impacts of Transgenic Fish ", Fisheries, vol.15, pp.2-11 Access abstract online here

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Posted by Pak Man Yuen
Student No. 41363548