How does the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulate food developed by technology?
USDA regulates the products of bioengineering but not the process itself. It has responsibility for assessing the ecological effects of new plants developed through genetic modification. USDA regulates transgenic animals (those with genetic material from a different species) under existing regulations covering experimental animals in the Code of Federal Regulations. On March 31, 1993, USDA issued a final rule on the notification procedures for genetically engineered organism and products. This rule establishes a notification system in lieu of the existing permit process for genetically engineered crops that are field-tested in accordance with specific safety criteria. In addition, the system introduces special requirements that companies must satisfy before slaughtering transgenic animals. They would have to describe any drugs or chemicals given to animals, along with the biological techniques and products used. Before granting approval for slaughter, USDA scrutinizes safety on three l
