Transgenic fish – where we are and where do we go?

Abstract

Transgenic fish have been developed that have improved growth, color, disease resistance, sur- vival in cold, and body composition, and produce pharmaceutical proteins. Transgenes elicit pleiotropic effects, some positive and some negative. In general, transgenic fish appear to have lower fitness than controls and pose little environmental risk, but this research is not fully con- clusive. Transgenic zebrafish with altered coloration have been commercialized and growth hor- mone transgenic salmon, carp, and tilapia are near commercialization. To enhance commer- cialization and minimize environmental risk, additional technologies such as transgenic steriliza- tion need to be developed. Genomic research has produced an abundance of molecular genet- ic information including many genes for consideration for gene transfer, highly regulated gene promoters, and knowledge about their expression and function. Functional genomics analysis should be applied in the future to enhance the capacity and versatility of transgenic technology.