“Federal regulations on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have, from the start, been inadequate to protect human health and the environment. Thirty years ago, an enthusiastic Executive Branch sought rapid commercialization of GMOs. They created a regulatory framework, which distributed decision-making among the FDA, EPA, and USDA. The administration sought to avoid any new laws created by Congress. So, it asked the agencies to regulate GMOs based on laws and policies already in place.

Unfortunately, these laws were crafted before the advent of genetic engineering technology and have never been adequate to address its unique, unprecedented risks and the possible adverse outcomes for human health and the environment. Genetic engineering technologies have continued to evolve, becoming more accessible and powerful than ever. Therefore, the glaring loopholes in the outdated US regulations pose more danger than ever.

The FDA’s GMO policy and the process of its creation exemplify the shortcomings of the regulatory framework in general. Introduced on May 29, 1992 and still in force today, the FDA policy assumes that GMOs are substantially equivalent to non-GMOs. It allows the developers to determine if their products are considered Generally Recognized As Safe. The agency does not require any safety evaluations. They don’t require any labels for consumers. Any consultation with the FDA by the developer is strictly voluntary. A company can choose to introduce GM food to the market without even informing the agency (as an extension of this policy, GMOs produced in other countries can quietly enter the US food supply without testing, labeling, or notification).”

Link to Read Full Article @ PNNC

READ FULL REPORT HERE : IRT GMOLegislativeReport MAY 2021