Environmental groups have often criticised the farming of genetically engineered fish because of the environmental risks, human health impacts and welfare of breeding certain forms of unnaturally fast-growing fish. But scientists at Sweden's University of Gothenburg are now working to determine whether these risks are outweighed by the benefits of a new strand of 'super-transgenic' fish.

Its researchers are currently focusing on one central question regarding transgenic fish: what effect will these genetically modified organisms have on the environment if they escape?

They are being funded by the EU's Marie Curie research spending programme, with their 'ecological risk-assessment of transgenic salmon (ERATS)' project costing EUR202,600 (US$300,000). It aims to determine the effects transgenic fish would have on wildlife, the environment, and even human beings, if they were to escape into the wild.

While these specimens have had their genes altered to increase growth rates and make them more resistant to disease, the researchers fear that should they escape and breed with natural fish, the resulting fry could have genetic health problems.

"Until further notice, transgenic fish should be bred in closed systems on land," says Dr Fredrik Sundström, the lead researcher for ERATS and a faculty member from the department of zoology at the University of Gothenburg. "Based on our current level of knowledge, we are still uncertain as to the effects of transgenic fish should they enter nature."

According to Dr Sundström, there has yet to be a definitive answer determined from the research. "Of course any escaped fish will have some sort of impact but the question is to what extent and when does it become relevant," he said in an interview with University World News.

"For one thing, would it have any larger impact than the corresponding wild-type fish? There are still many questions to answer before I can say yes or no."

Janet Cotter, a senior scientist for Greenpeace International, considers the research and assessment project a progressive step but doubts that researchers will be making any breaking discoveries. "We would prefer to see a precautionary principle employed but you can't determine all of these risks," Cotter said.

She acknowledged the EU's approach was interesting but there had already been previous research that determined genetically modified fish had a serious effect on the environment. "There is a high potential for eco-system disruption," she said.

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