It seems to me everyone on this thread has the mistaken impression that transgenic fish are superior to normal fish.

This is not true. It is difficult if not impossible to improve upon mother nature. Fish have had millions of years to evolve to fit their specific niches. No simple minded transgenic tinkering is going to easily improve upon that and almost all efforts will be deterimental to an overall survival in the wild. I would put forward that no transgenic creature bred so far is able to outcompete its non-transgenic wild bretheren in a natural ecosystem.

Granted transgenic fish can be bred to grow faster or bigger, but at the detriment to fitness in the wild.

The true danger of aquaculture is not transgenics, but introduction of non-native species. Non-native species have a lengthy history of causing severe ecological disruption. (ie zebra mussles, green crab, spartina, grass carp, alewives, every sunfish found in the state, japanese oyster, etc, etc, etc).


I recognize that some of you don't take this topic seriously, but transgenic animals will be coming to a table near you soon. Given the history of animal breeding, food science, and american's preference for cheap food, it is the next logical step.