U.S. Regulatory Oversight of Agricultural and Food-Related Biotechnology

In: American behavioral scientist: ABS, Band 44, Heft 3, S. 350-377

Abstract

Genetic engineering has both risks and the potential to provide significant benefits. The Coordinated Framework for Regulation of Biotechnology relies on existing federal laws and agencies to assure that genetically engineered products are safe. The goal is to balance the need for safety with the need to avoid impeding the biotech industry. This article reviews U.S. laws of greatest significance to agricultural and food-related biotechnology, and the regulatory roles of the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. It concludes that consumers, farmers, and the environment are well protected by that system. However, because of the rapid development of biotechnology the regulatory system should be improved, and its underlying strengths better communicated to the public.