Abstract: . . .  conditions. Regulatory authori- ty is provided by the Federal Plant Pest Act. FDA: Has the authority to ensure whether food and feed derived from GM crops or animals are safe to eat or use as a drug. Has authority to remove a food from the market. Regulates food, animal feed, food additives, veterinary drugs, human drugs, and med- ical devices. Regulatory authority is provided by the FFDCA. Production Statistics In 2000, approximately 44 million hectares of land were planted globally with varieties of more than 20 plant species. Soybean, corn, cotton, and canola were the most commercially important of these species (International Service for the Acquisition of Agricultural Biotechnology , 2001), accounting for 25.8, 10.3, 5.3, and 2.8 million hectares of the total, respectively. The amount of GM crops planted worldwide in 2000 is 25 times higher than in 1996. The United States was by far the largest producer of GM food technology, with 69% of the global total. Argentina produced 23%, and Canada pro- duced 7%. China produced only 1% of all GM crops. Small amounts were also planted in Australia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Mexico, Romania, South Africa, Spain, and Uruguay. GMO Risks and Benefits The National Research Council’s (NRC) most recent study of GM crops, Genetically Modified Pest- Protected Plants: Science and Regulation, . . .
. . .  Australia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Mexico, Romania, South Africa, Spain, and Uruguay. GMO Risks and Benefits The National Research Council’s (NRC) most recent study of GM crops, Genetically Modified Pest- Protected Plants: Science and Regulation, reaffirmed the findings of 1987 and 1989 NRC reports on biotechnology . No evidence suggests that applica- tion of GM technology is inherently risky. A trans- genic species presents the same kind of risks to the environment as a non-native, unmodified species or a species modified by other methods. Risk assess- ment should depend on how a GM crop is grown and how it is used, not simply that it was derived from biotechnology . The most recent committee report also found no evidence that GM foods current- ly on the market are not safe. The NRC study underscored the need for addition- al research to ensure that foods derived from geneti- cally modified plants and animals are not causing undesirable effects. For example, priority should be given to develop enhanced methods to identify potential allergens, determine the impacts of specific GM crops on nontarget organisms, and assess the potential for and consequences of spreading trans- genic organisms into wild populations. The study also found that EPA, USDA, and FDA successfully apply existing statutes to address the introduction of  . . .
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