Genetic engineering (GE) is emerging as a powerful way for breeding of fish and shellfish, and for producing feed with altered nutritional qualities. In addition, DNA and edible vaccines can rapidly initiate immunization of fish. Norway is a major producer of farmed marine products and therefore potentially a consumer of these technologies. However, using GE in aquaculture raises considerable ecological, ethical and socio-economic concerns that could lessen the benefits of these technologies to Norway. It is thus critical that appropriate ethical considerations and scientific investigations are made prior to commercialization.

In this project, a multidisciplinary approach is applied to analyze how the present frameworks for risk governance of GE in aquaculture perform and how they may be improved. The experimental approach are executed at The Department of Marine Biotechnology, University of Tromsø and concerns a study on the fate of DNA constructs administered to fish. Based on the achievements and results from the experimental studies and available scientific literature, we intend to develop and test a conceptual framework for application of the Precautionary Principle (PP) on the use and release of recombinant DNA for aquaculture. The motivation for the proposed project is to attain an integrative understanding and approach for governance of GE in aquaculture that is scientifically reliable and socially robust. The result will be of importance for ecological understanding of the fate of recombinant DNA molecules, and for the use of ethical principles in evaluation of the technology and is of high relevance in regulatory purposes.

Specific objectives that is addressed
Our approach are based on:

1.
Evaluate the safety of DNA constructs using, feeding studies, cell culture work and aquatic models. We will use these experimental systems to monitor a) possible uptake of DNA and subsequent distribution in various tissues, and b) stability of DNA in the digestive system. In this part of the project Tom Tonheim is employed as a PhD student, Jørn Leirvik as a master student and Tore Seternes as post.doc. Supervisiors are Dr. Roy Dalmo and Dr. Jarl Bøgwald.

2.
Identify practical implications of applying the PP to GE risk governance. This involves:
a) development and testing of a framework for applying the PP,

b) examining the benefits of incorporating the PP in the design and conduct of scientifically rigorous experimental methodologies, and

c) exploring the role of precautionary motivated science in decisions. In this part of the project Kamilla Kjølberg is employed as a research assistant and Anne Ingeborg Myhr as a post.doc.

Publications:

Myhr, A.I. and Roy A. Dalmo (2005) “Introduction of genetic engineering in aquaculture; ecological and ethical implications for science and governance”, Aquaculture (available online)

Myhr, A.I. (2005) “Strecthed peer-review of unexpected results (GMOs)” accepted for publication in Water Science & Technology

Mortensen, L.B., Myhr, A.I, Wellin, S. (2005) “Carbon sequestration, the Precautionary Approach and the Responsibility of Scientists” accepted for publication in Water Science & Technology

Myhr, A. I. (2005) ”Genetically Modified Organisms: The Need for Precautionary Motivated Science. In: Thomas Potthast, Christoph Baumgartner & Eve-Marie Engels (eds.) Die richtigen Maße für die Nahrung? Biotechnologie, Landwirtschaft und Lebensmittel in ethischer Perspektive, (Series:) Ethik in den Wissenschaften Vol. 17, Francke Verlag, Tübingen, p. 39-70.

Myhr, A.I. (2005) Biosafety of genetic engineering in aquaculture: Sustainability from an ethical and ecological perspective. Proceedings from the International Conference on Biosafety in Oman 21-23.2.2005, volume 2, pp.106-116

Myhr, A. I. (2004) ”Riskio og føre-var prinsippet”. I temahefte: Regulering av DNA vaksiner og genterapi på dyr, Bioteknologinemda (www.bion.no)

Myhr, A. I. (2003) ”Genoverføring mellom arter: Føre-var eller etter snar?”, I : Risiko og GMO, Genialt nr. 1. 2003,pp. 18- 20. (www.bion.no)

Myhr, A. I. (2003) ”Risiko, kommunikasjon og etikk” (www.hio.no/enheter/senter_for_profesjonsstudier)

Myhr, A. I. (2003) ”Introduksjon av genteknologi i akvakultur –etiske og økologiske implikasjoner for vitenskap og forvaltning,” NBS-nytt, Tidskrift for biokjemi, 27 årgang nr. 2, pp.22.


Participants in the project:
Terje Traavik, project leader
Anne I. Myhr
Tom C. Tonheim
Roy Dalmo
Kaare Nielsen