At a high level, biotechnology is the application of living organisms or parts of organisms to improve, modify, or produce products or processes for specific uses. We have used biotechnology for many, many years. For instance, microorganisms have been used in the production of bread, yogurt, alcoholic beverages, antibiotics, and enzymes.
The USDA is only one agency that oversees the process of regulating United States food biotechnology.
There are actually three federal agencies that share in that responsibility.
- The Food and Drug Agency, (FDA), recognizes that many consumers are interested in whether food ingredients are derived from genetically engineered plants, and has issued guidance for manufacturers who wish to voluntarily label their foods as containing or not containing such ingredients.
- The Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), protects human health and the environment.
The FDA now falls under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These agencies operate under the existing laws passed by Congress to ensure the safety of plants used in agriculture, the safety of pesticides used in agriculture, and the safety of foods we eat and feeds given to animals.
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is responsible for protecting agriculture from pests and disease, including making sure that all new genetically engineered plant varieties pose no pest risk to other plants. Accordingly, USDA-APHIS regulates organisms and products that are known or suspected to be plant pests or to pose a plant pest risk, including those that have been altered or produced through genetic engineering.
The Environmental Protection agency regulates pesticides.
The EPA, through a regulation process, regulates pesticides, including those bioengineered into food crops, to make sure that pesticides are safe for human and animal consumption and do not pose unreasonable risks of harm to human health or the environment. Applicants must register pesticidal products prior to their sale and distribution, and the EPA may establish conditions for use as part of the registration. The EPA also sets tolerance limits for residues of pesticides on and in food and animal feed, or establishes an exemption from the requirement for a tolerance, under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
According to the USDA, genetically engineered (GE) crops (mainly corn, cotton, and soybeans) were planted on 169 million acres in 2013, about half of U.S. land used for crops. Their adoption has saved farmers time, reduced insecticide use, and enabled the use of less toxic herbicides. Research and development of new genetically engineered varieties continue to expand farmer choices.
There is no known food safety concern related to consuming food produced through biotechnology.
A number of food and health organizations such as the American Medical Association, World Health Organization, and the Institute of Food Technologists recognize and support the use of food biotechnology.
RECOMMENDED READING
No comments:
Post a Comment