It came from beneath the sea...

Labs don't have to report 'Frankenfish' escapes

THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA–Canada's rules for genetically modified fish are so lax that labs don't have to report escapes into the wild, says an audit released today.

That means bigger, more adaptable fish engineered in labs could put the natural variety at a disadvantage when they compete against each other for food and territory, the audit by Canada's environment commissioner has found.

And because scientists don't have to disclose what they create in their labs, it says, it's not known what sort of so-called "Frankenfish" might someday swim Canada's water systems.

"The result of these weaknesses is that the extent of research under way in Canada and any accidental release of (genetically engineered) fish may not be fully known," the audit says.

(More here.)