Building a better fish: Engineering fish for smarter aquaculture

Thanks!

Thanks for your interest in my project and for reaching out with these important questions! Regarding IACUC approval, I can’t submit a formal application until funding is secured, as FIT’s IACUC prefers to review projects with confirmed resources rather than spending time evaluating proposals that may not move forward. That said, I’ve already spoken with our IACUC coordinator, and he doesn’t anticipate any issues with approval once funding is in place. The planned edits aren’t expected to cause significant distress or a loss in quality of life for the zebrafish, and I’ll be monitoring them closely to ensure their well-being remains a priority. As for ethics, getting IACUC approval and following industry-standard operating procedures is the best way to ensure the proper treatment of these animals. I’ll personally handle all feedings, cleanings, and measurements, and I have experience keeping fish stress to a minimum during these processes. I understand that genetic modifications come with risks, and I take that seriously. The real ethical question is whether any potential impact on individual fish is justified by the broader benefits of the research. In this case, the physiological effects of these edits are relatively mild compared to what’s commonly studied in model organisms, and I’ll be actively monitoring the fish to ensure their health and welfare. On a larger scale, I believe this research has real value in improving aquaculture sustainability. If we can better understand the genetic pathways behind growth and metabolism, we could develop farmed fish that grow more efficiently, reducing pressure on wild populations. Long term, this could lead to more responsible aquaculture practices that balance production needs with conservation efforts, benefiting both the environment and food security. I think that trade-off minor, manageable impacts on individual fish in a controlled setting in exchange for potentially large-scale sustainability benefits is ethically justified. I have additionally reached out to ZIRC (Zebrafish International Research Center) and they have expressed interest in taking my potential mutants and using them for some additional research at the University of Alabama Birmingham for some exciting research! Let me know if you have any other questions!