Faster-Growing Fish Bred in Egypt, Ghana

The Nile tilapia, a fish native to, you guessed it, the Nile in Egypt, has been bred to grow faster. Without using gene treatment or anything artificial, researchers in Egypt and Ghana have harnessed natural selection to breed two types of the Nile tilapia (oreochromis niloticus) that grow 30% faster than the current commercial breed.

Nile Tilapia

This is very exciting! But what does it mean?

Well, farmers who grow fish will be able to make more profits, as they can grow their fish faster. Not only that, but a stronger fish industry will help local economies grow, as wealth comes into these regions. The third most important result will be that the cost of fish will likely lower, making it available to poorer people. Lack of protein is a huge problem in lower-income areas of the continent and with cheaper fish, comes cheaper protein and healthier people! Sounds like a win-win!

Random Kate Thoughts: I, like many people, am made somewhat uncomfortable by genetically-modified food. But natural selection, on the other hand, is perfectly safe for human consumption. It might sound a bit like the researchers are playing God, and that can sound a little scary. Next thing you know we'll be naturally selecting humans for how fast they run? But natural selection takes a very long time, making it easier to achieve with already-fast-breeding animals like fish, unlike humans. For now, more financial sustainability in western and northern Africa? And more tasty fish in the world? Sounds good to me.

Side note: For you Americans who feel that you might have had Nile tilapia before, you're probably right. It was brought to the Mississippi river and bred there as well, so you've likely had a taste of Africa without even knowing it!