Consumer groups have called on the Food and Drug Administration to require the labeling of genetically modified salmon before it is made available for human consumption.

The FDA is considering whether to approve a type of salmon from AquaBounty TechnologiesInc. that has been given a gene from another fish species designed to make it grow twice as fastas conventional Atlantic salmon.

The fish will however not require labeling if the agency determines the salmon is made up of thesame material as conventional salmon according to federal guidelines.

If the labeling is approved, AquaBounty's salmon would be the country's first commercial genetically engineered food animal.

Consumer groups defend the consumers right to know what is in the food they are eating and said it would be irresponsible not to label the fish.