HB 2143 Genetically Engingeered Fish

[bigtex]

HB 2143 regarding genetically modified fish was introduced by Rep Condotta (R) this week. The bill would make it a fish and wildlife gross misdemeanor for each genetically engineered salmon that is produced. It would also make it illegal under the state health code to sell genetically engineered salmon.

(1) The legislature finds that nature has provided little to the people of the Pacific Northwest with a greater cultural, ecological, and economic value as the native runs of wild salmon that nurse in our local waters and, after an unimaginable journey, return home to repeat the ageless cycle. Although the natural rhythm of the salmonid pulses without human intervention, choices made by the residents of Washington can have a dramatic effect on the continuance of the very species that has served as a cornerstone of northwest culture for countless generations.
(2) The legislature further finds that the value of salmon exceeds culture, economy, and even the environment. Salmon, as a food source, represent a very need of human existence. So much so that an important and well-intended industry has taken to Washington waters and harnessed its clean, cool properties to raise salmon and other finfish in net pens.
(3) The legislature further finds that, although great investments continue to be made in net pen technology to avoid escapes, the use of genetically modified finfish in net pens create an unacceptable risk to the native salmon of the Pacific Northwest; genetics that are developed specifically and irreplaceably for each individual run of salmon.

(1) "Genetically engineered" means any organism or organisms in which the genetic material of the organism or organisms has been changed through the application of in vitro nucleic acid techniques or the direct injection of nucleic acid into cells or organelles of the organism or organisms.

(1) No person may produce genetically engineered finfish in state waters.
(2) A violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor. Each instance of a genetically engineered salmonid being produced is an individual violation of this section.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2143.pdf

[huntnphool]

No more triploids?

[bigtex]

No more triploids?

Honestly, I have no clue 

The bill is so confusing that it really needs to be reviewed.

[mossback91]

No more triploids?

Triploids aren't necessarily genetically engineered though are they? From what I understand a triploid could happen naturally. Nothing is removed or applied to the cells and so on.

All they do is change water temp the eggs are in

[Special T]

Possibly, Triploids have an extra chromozone preventing breeding making them grow much larger. IDK the process used however.

[mossback91]

I think it is mainly referring to the atlantic salmon that has Chinook salmon dna stuck into it.

Triploids are made by changing water temps the fertilized eggs are in or changing pressure in it.

[jackmaster]

i wish they would genetically alter salmon so they can come up river and spawn and then head back out to sea, that would so awesome, could you imagine fighting a 200 king, that is chrome bright and wants to live  oh snap, what a fight that would be, bring it on, triploids are genetically altered arent they? yep....

[snowpack]

No more triploids?

Triploids aren't necessarily genetically engineered though are they? From what I understand a triploid could happen naturally. Nothing is removed or applied to the cells and so on.

All they do is change water temp the eggs are in

  Could happen in a number of species naturally, but they do it with water temps.  It is genetic engineering in a sense, just not in vitro, which looks like this bill focuses on.

[arees]

Rep. Condotta should give up their legislative position so they can have more time to focus on bad poetry.  The first three items could be replaced with "the use of genetically modified finfish in net pens create an unacceptable risk to the native salmon of the Pacific Northwest" in order to save the environmental cost of wasted paper and wasted time spent reading this drivel.

What does "produce" mean in the 3rd item (1)?  If I hatch them elsewhere were the produced there and just grown here?

[wapiti hunter2]

No more triploids?

How are Triploids made?

If the egg is physically shocked shortly after fertilisation occurs, then it is possible to produce a fish with three sets of chromosomes, a triploid fish. The egg does not in fact manufacture an extra set for itself. The extra genetic information actually comes from the female parent and is present before fertilisation. Under normal unshocked fertilisation this information is lost from the egg as it is fertilised. But a shock, such as an increase in temperature, physical shaking or an increase in environmental pressure prevents this information leaving the fertilised cell. There is no genetic modification. Genes have not been changed or manufactured. The number of chromosomes are increased because a set are not lost on fertilisation. The fertilised egg is left with three copies of genetic information rather than two. Two from the mother, and one from the father. Triploid fish grow and develop as normal. After all they have the same information within them as diploid fish. But when it comes to producing eggs for themselves, the three sets of information do not divide conveniently and so no viable eggs are produced by hen fish. Triploid males do not produce viable sperm.

[Dhoey07]

No more triploids?

Honestly, I have no clue 

The bill is so confusing that it really needs to be reviewed.

The bill says salmon, not trout.  Also, would this bill apply to the general public, wdfw and tribe hatcheries, or just the general public?

[Knocker of rocks]

The bill says salmon, not trout.  Also, would this bill apply to the general public, wdfw and tribe hatcheries, or just the general public?

I think you could make the argument that trout are a salmon


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trout

[Dhoey07]

The bill says salmon, not trout.  Also, would this bill apply to the general public, wdfw and tribe hatcheries, or just the general public?

I think you could make the argument that trout are a salmon


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trout

I don't think you could. The state considers trout a game fish

 (4) "Salmon" means all species of the genus Oncorhynchus, except
7 those classified as game fish in RCW 77.08.020, and includes:
8 SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
9 Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook salmon or king salmon
10 Oncorhynchus kisutch Coho salmon or silver salmon
11 Oncorhynchus keta Chum or "keta" salmon
12 Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Pink salmon
13 Oncorhynchus nerka Sockeye or "red" salmon
14 Salmo salar (in other than Atlantic salmon

I think what the bill is trying to do is get the farming of atlantic salmon out of Washington since it does not include triploids, tiger trout,  or tiger musky

[Knocker of rocks]

Makes sense

[fastdam]

I agree with any law that protects life from eugenics programs.  I like this law. I hope it has teeth.