Part 8/11:
The FDA ultimately concluded that AquaBounty salmon is functionally equivalent to non-GMO Atlantic salmon, with the genetic modification classified akin to a pharmaceutical alteration rather than a food additive. This classification facilitated approval but also spotlighted the regulatory lag that has hindered other biotech innovations. Alison Van Eenennaam from UC Davis laments that only one genetically engineered animal has genuinely reached market after 30 years of research, illustrating the regulatory and financial obstacles faced by biotech companies.