The Juneau Empire reports that U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced a bill last week requiring all genetically engineered salmon to carry the words “genetically engineered” or “GE.” The bill would also require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to mandate a third party review of the previous FDA decision declaring AquAdvantage salmon fit for human consumption. The third party review would focus on ecological effects and human consumptive safety.

Per the Washington Post, AquAdvantage salmon is a genetically modified (GM) Atlantic salmon developed by AquaBounty Technologies. A growth hormone-regulating gene from a Pacific Chinook salmon and a promoter from an ocean pout were added to the Atlantic salmon’s 40,000 genes. The genes enable the fish to grow year-round and to increase the speed at which they grow.

In a press release on her web page Murkowski stated, “We have had success in the fight against Frankenfish, but I won’t let up until it is mandatory to make clear to consumers whether they are purchasing Frankenfish or the wild, healthy, sustainably-caught, delicious real thing. I still adamantly oppose the FDA’s approval of GE salmon, for the health of both consumers and fisheries. But at least with this legislation, Alaskans and consumers across the rest of the country won’t be deceived and will be aware of what it is they are seeing on store shelves.”

Last year’s omnibus bill ordered the FDA to ban genetically engineered salmon from U.S. markets until the FDA publishes final labeling guidelines.

A copy of the “Genetically Engineered Salmon Labeling Act” may be viewed here.