For the first time ever, the FDA has approved eating a genetically modified animal: A fast-growing salmon

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave genetically modified salmon its stamp of approval Thursday, marking the first time that an engineered animal has been approved for consumption in the U.S. The salmon, called AquAdvantage, grows twice as fast as natural salmon does:

The FDA said Thursday that it made the decision after two decades of research "based on sound science and a comprehensive review." To address concerns of the modified salmon contaminating the naturally occurring species, the FDA will require the AquAdvantage salmon to be raised "only in land-based, contained tanks in two specific facilities in Canada and Panama" and the salmon will not be allowed to be raised in the U.S, The Washington Post reports.

While regulators maintain that they're sure the fish is safe to eat, the salmon— which was dubbed "Frankenfish" by its critics — has drawn much contention along its swim to approval. Food safety activists, environmental groups, Alaskan lawmakers, and even grocery store chains have been opposed to AquAdvantage's debut on shelves.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

While actually getting AquAdvantage salmon in stores may take several years, the FDA has already said it will not require it to be labeled as genetically engineered.