Beef Fat Clogs Waterway

"Some 15,000 gallons of animal fat poured into the channel through a storm drain on Tuesday after an onshore storage tank owned by agricultural company Jacob Sterns and Sons leaked 250,000 gallons of the greasy substance...." [HuffPo]

FDA Considers GM Salmon

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently considering whether  genetically modified Atlantic salmon are safe for consumers, and whether it should carry special labelling.

AquaBounty Technologies Inc developed the fish to be fast growing, halving the normal 3 year growing period.  The GM fish produces growth hormones all year, rather than just in the summer.

AquaBounty appear to oppose labelling requirements that would identify the salmon to consumers as genetically modified.  Reuters report that David Edwards, head of animal biotechnology for the Biotechnology Industry said that special labelling:  "just causes confusion for the consumers."

Opponents question the safety of the product, and warn that escaped GM fish could devastate wild salmon populations.

Genetically engineered vegetables (such as corn and soy) are widely available, as a GM pet animals (e.g. Yorktown Technologies LP's GloFish).  However the Aqua Bounty salmon will be something of a test case when it comes to food animals. If AquaBounty obtain approval for their Atlantic salmon similar lines of tilapia and trout would likely follow.


Sources:

• Biotech salmon faces scrutiny at FDA panel
• FDA advisors to vote on genetically engineered salmon
• A genetically engineered fillet: GMO salmon and future food
• Has FDA Already Decided About Genetically Engineered Salmon?

Religion and Meat (in progress)

Christianity

Barclay (2010) suggests that a Christain orientation, specifically  to wards food includes thanksgiving to God and careful consideration of the well-being of others.  On this basis he argues that wealthy Christians should consider greatly reducing their meat intake based on the adverse environmental effects of large scake meat production.

Islam

British Question Halal Meat

The Mail seemed outraged that a lot of meat served at British events, schools and in other public settings including Wembley Stadium is Halal.  Halal meat is of a type and preparation considered correct under Islamic law.  Specifically it is not pork, and has been slaughter with a prayer to Allah by cutting he neck veins resulting in rapid exsanguination--minimising the amount of blood left in the carcass. 

It has been suggested that Christians should not eat alal meat because it has been dedicated to Allah. Some also argue that halal slaughter is not humane as the animal is not "stunned" (unconscious) when it is killed.  For this reason The RSPCA and Vegetarians International Voice for Animals (Viva!) oppose providing only Halal options to consumers, and not informing them that the meat is Halal.

References:

• Barclay, JMG. (2010). Food, Christian identity and global warming: a Pauline call for a Christian food taboo. The Expository Times, 121, 585-593.

Sources:

• Halal Britain: Famous institutions and schools routinely serve up ritually slaughtered meat
• On London's Halal Hoo Ha