Modified Catfish

* Re “Gene-Altered Catfish Raise Environmental, Legal Issues,” Jan. 2: The genetic modification of animals is not environmentally safe or healthy. One cannot alter so rapidly what has developed over millions of years and expect no negative effects.

There should definitely be federal regulation and oversight at the highest level to prevent harm to the environment and to consumers. And I disagree with the statement that fast-growing catfish “could help farmers feed more people for less money and boost efforts to end world hunger.” Let’s face reality; the only motivation here is profit. The food industry could lower prices if it lowered profit margin and spent less money on advertising.

What is preventing everyone on this Earth from being well fed are economic and political issues, not lack of food. Genetically altered animals are not the solution, but rather the exacerbation, of our problems.

LAURIE GATES

Orange