A sustainability assessment framework for genome-edited salmon

A guide to assess the use of gene editing in aquaculture

“…Many beneficial applications are forecast for food production, including improved resiliency and animal welfare, 5 higher product quality and nutritional value, 6 and environmental benefits, 7 which all translate to greater food security and safety. However, there is uncertainty surrounding public acceptance, 8–20 sustainability, 21–24 and regulation 25 of this technology. Many governments, researchers, and food producers are cautious about being associated with the development of ‘edited’ food.…”

“…In the case of Atlantic salmon (which is one of the most valuable global aquaculture commodities), three main moral principles have been suggested as important by stakeholders: welfare, integrity, and iconic status, 79 with protection of the environment and wild salmon being key sustainability issues. [21][22][23][24] From reports of surveys conducted in Norway, most consumers consider gene editing applications with clear societal and sustainability benefits (e.g., promotion of fish health and reduction of environmental impact) as positive, while applications that focus on production traits or negatively affect animal welfare elicit negative responses. 77 Additionally, research has found that Indian and North American consumers are more inclined to prefer more natural production practices and these preferences have driven the adoption of practices like free-range chicken farming and organic branding.…”