*They also taste terrible!   Oliva

http://mercola.com/2002/oct/12/gm_animals.htm
Experts Confirm that Bioengineered Animals are an Environmental Threat
Genetically engineered fish, insects, shellfish and other highly mobile
animals pose a risk to the environment as they may escape from their labs or
pens and displace species in the wild.

The report by a National Academy of Sciences committee was hailed by groups
opposed to bioengineered organisms used for consumption or in crop
management.

This study effectively ends the debate in this country over whether
genetically engineered animals pose a risk to human health and the
environment.

This really raises the red flag. The panel said bioengineered organisms
escaping into the wild is of great concern, but that currently, there is no
great harm posed to humans who eat genetically modified animals, vegetables
or grains, with the exception of the potential for allergic or
hypersensitivity reactions.

But the committee said that since bioengineering and cloning techniques are
developing so rapidly, its report is just a snapshot. There is a need for
more research, and caution.

As is the case with any new technology, it is almost impossible to state
that there is no concern, and in certain areas of animal biotechnology, we
did identify some legitimate ones.

The panel identified two specific areas of concern with bioengineered
animals, insects, and crops:

  a.. Organisms that are engineered for deliberate release into the
environment, and
  b.. Those engineered with the intention of being farmed or confined, but
that escape or are inadvertently released.
If an animal, insect or fish gets into the wild, it might eventually replace
its relative or become established in that community if the genetically
engineered organism is more fit than its wild relatives in that environment.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested the panel's input, as the
agency is considering whether cloned cattle and other genetically modified
organisms are safe for human consumption or use as animal feed.

In May, 60 environmental and consumer organizations petitioned the FDA and
four other federal agencies for a moratorium on the sale or use of
genetically modified fish. The groups acted when Aqua Bounty Farms of
Waltham, Massachusetts, filed for FDA approval of a genetically engineered
salmon.

The National Academy panel said it was concerned that if a salmon designed
to grow faster and larger was released into the wild, it could compete more
successfully for food and mates than wild salmon.

A spokeswoman for the trade group BIO said that Aqua Bounty had taken
"redundant" precautions to ensure that no salmon from its farms could escape
or mate, if it did find its way into wild waters.

The National Academy committee also said biotech companies should make sure
that animals grown to produce pharmaceuticals are not introduced into the
food supply, and that they are not adversely harmed by being used
essentially as a manufacturing facility.

Reuters Washington September 23, 2002