The latest reports bring forth that the modified fish approval has become the bone of contention between the advocacy groups and the AquaBounty technologies.

The last word on whether to give the approval to the latest genetically modified salmon resides with the FDA, which has lined up meetings on the dates from September 19 to 21. In the meetings, the FDA would hear the advice for the approval.

AquaBounty Technologies bioengineered Atlantic salmon as the scientists in the Company pooled the growth hormone genes from an unrelated Pacific salmon with the DNA from the anti-freeze genes of an eelpout fish.

The result of the blend was that the GM salmon could produce growth hormone for all round the year and it could also grow at twice the rate as against the non-GM salmon.

This was the catch as it is known that the Atlantic salmon only grow for a few months per year. Further, in the non-growth months, they are not capable of producing the growth hormones.

The GM salmon has been widely criticized by the advocacy groups and a coalition of as many as 31 groups have issued a statement to the FDA and have requested the agency to not give the nod to the fish.

As quoted in the report, the groups have mentioned, "We believe any approval of GE salmon would represent a serious threat to the survival of native salmon populations, many of which have already suffered severe declines related to salmon farms and other man-made impacts ..."

In a prompt reply, AqauBounty trashed the report terming it "inaccurate, deliberately misleading, and intended to create fear and misunderstanding".