'No Frankenfish' button becomes Alaskan senator's Halloween treat

Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) is putting some legislative promotion into his Halloween treats.

Begich, whose state is one of the largest producers of fresh salmon in the world, tweeted Monday that he is handing out buttons in opposition to genetically-altered salmon, also known as “frankenfish,” to members of the upper chamber. The Food and Drug Administration is considering approval of the fish for consumption.

"I’m celebrating Halloween by delivering “No Frankenfish” buttons to all my Senate colleagues,” Begich tweeted Monday afternoon with a link to a picture of a fanged fish with a line through it.

Begich proposed legislation earlier this month that would make it illegal to sell, posses, and/or purchase genetically-altered salmon in the U.S. It has gained support from his Republican counterpart in the Senate, Lisa Murkowsi (R-Alaska).

The legislation is aptly titled after the mythical winged horse, the PEGASUS Act— the Prevention of Escapement of Genetically Altered Salmon in the United States Act.

Both Alaskan senators have questioned the economic and environmental impact of introducing genetically-altered salmon into the national food supply.

“Turning the genes of salmon into a genetic super-growth formula sounds like a plot for the next 'Deep Blue Sea,' 'Jaws' or some other horror movie,” Begich said. “Wild-caught, well-managed salmon is one of our nation’s richest resources and best foods. There’s no need to create fake Frankenfish to try and replace it.”

Murkowsi introduced similar legislation that would restrict funds to the FDA required to approve the genetically-altered salmon application. It was proposed as an amendment to the agriculture appropriations bill that made it to the floor earlier this month.

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