Biotechnology and Genetically Modified Agricultural Crops and Food

Genetic modification (GM) refers to alteration of a product's genetic makeup. Biotechnology refers to the application of scientific knowledge to living organisms or their constituents for practical purposes. GM and food biotechnology are regulated by several agencies including the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One of the laws that the USDA is responsible enforcing is the Federal Plant Pest Act (FPPA). The EPA enforces the US Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The FDA includes the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). The FDA follows the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure the safety of GM food. GM products include FLAVR SAVR Tomato, Bt Corn, and L Tryptophan.