Transgenic or Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are animals or plants containing genetic material from more than one species. Genetically modified ornamental fish currently being made available to the market are fish that have had jellyfish genes transplanted into them to enhance their colour and make them glow.

Background
Fish that, depending on the light, could glow red, green, blue, cyan and yellow is one result of research undertaken at Singapore University during the 1990's. The research was primarily intended to produce zebra danios that glow different colours when different pollutants, for instance heavy metals are present or when the pH of the water changes. These transgenic specimens proved to be very sensitive pollution indicators. The zebra danios are genetically modified by inserting jellyfish genes.

At the time of writing (Nov 2003), sterile medaka from Taiwan and zebra danios from the USA have been modified to glow blue or red.

UK legislation The import of genetically modified fish to the UK is not a straightforward issue and Members of OATA wishing to do so should carefully acquaint themselves with the relevant legislation available from the OATA office.

OATAs' position
OATA believes that the introduction of GM technology as is currently being envisaged is unwelcome and that GM fish have no place in the ornamental fish industry.

Environmental issues
Theoretically these should not pose a threat to the ecology of countries to which they are imported.

Sterility
Arguments could rage over whether or not the technologies to produce sterile fish are water tight, certainly "sterile" triploid salmonids don't seem to have completely read the textbook.

Impact on wild fish?
Suggestions have been made that cold tolerant resistant tropical fish might be produced. If this were to happen it would be disastrous for the industry. It is very unlikely that specimens carrying such genes would be easily distinguishing by visual examination from those carrying GM varieties, at for instance airports through which imports occur. Thus all tropical fish could (and from discussion with the Fish Health Inspectorate in the UK would) be regarded as capable of surviving in temperate zones and thus could potentially have an impact on wild fish or become an invasive species if released in the wild.

Public opposition to genetic modification
In Europe generally, and the UK in particular, there is very strong opposition to GM technologies. The seed industry is facing outright hostility for crop trials, not just from the public but also from the press. Though latterly the UK government has offered support to GM technology the public and the press remain in the main hostile to the application of this technology even when food security is cited as a reason for it to continue.

Ethics
Arguments can rage over the ethics of swapping genes between species: are we playing god or is it a logical application of mans' advancing knowledge? It is a matter of personal choice or conviction.

Many varieties of fish, which have been favourites with the trade and public, have been developed by selective breeding over the years, so does the industry or hobby want or need GM fish?

Conclusion
The beauty of the range of species available to the industry and thus the hobby renders the application of this technology in our industry, to produce gimmicky fish, entirely unnecessary.

The use of GM technology may be viewed by some as benign. However, OATA believes that it is perhaps more important to look where this issue may take the industry rather than where we are now.