Press Release

April 24, 2007
  • Nature & Parks

Administrative Guidance on Unapproved Genetically Modified Zebra Danio (Tropical Fish)

Under the Law Concerning the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity through Regulations on the Use of Living Modified Organisms (Law No. 97 of 2003), it is required, in the case of Type 1 Use, to assess adverse effects and obtain approval of the competent minister.

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) confirmed the import and the sale of the genetically modified (GM) zebra danio, developed as aquarium fish, in Japan without approval. The GM zebra danios were imported from Indonesia. They are transfected with the gene of a kind of coral and are tinged with red.

The MOE demanded reports from the dealers distributing the GM zebra danio and provided written administrative guidance to them in accordance with the Law.

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