Alumni Alumni in the News

May 6, 2013 at 1:06 am

Alum in Alaska Legislature Fights Genetically Modified ‘Frankenfish’

Alaska State Rep. Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) reports that she “met with a dozen Federal Drug Administration staff to express Alaskans’ concerns with an application to allow the sale of genetically modified salmon, dubbed ‘Frankenfish,’ in the United States.” Tarr earned a bachelor’s degree in Botany, Environmental Studies and Women’s Studies from Ohio University.

“This is a historic decision,” said Tarr. “The eyes of the world are on the United States as the FDA considers, for the first time ever, allowing a genetically modified animal to be sold for human consumption.”

The FDA is accepting comments on the application by AquaBounty, a Massachusetts based biotechnology company, until Friday, April 26th.

“We have spoken in one unified Alaskan voice in objecting to this application,” Tarr said.

“The Governor, Senators Begich and Murkowski, Congressman Young, and by unanimous support of HJR 5, the legislature, all have spoken against the sale of GM salmon.”

Tarr recently returned from a trip to Prince Edward Island where genetically modified eggs are produced by AquaBounty, where she met with Premier Robert Ghiz and legislative leaders about the strong objections Alaskans have about this application.

Read her blog post.

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