How open to public scrutiny is the U.S. regulatory process for biotechnology products?
How open to public scrutiny is the U.S. regulatory process for biotechnology products?
How open to public scrutiny is the U.S. regulatory process for biotechnology products?
Re: How open to public scrutiny is the U.S. regulatory process for biotechnology products?
The U.S. regulatory system involves the public in the decision-making process. For example, the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) requires that all federal agencies provide the public with an opportunity for "notice and comment" before adopting final regulations. In addition, APHIS, FDA, and EPA ensure "transparency" in their oversight system through the use of public meetings, Federal Register notices, and postings on the World Wide Web. Lastly, the agencies have been open to modifying their regulations based on experience with technology and scientific advancements. It should be noted that extensive scientific evaluations by USDA, EPA and FDA have identified no significant or unexpected concerns unique to products resulting from biotechnology. FDA has conducted public sessions on various aspects of biotech foods and received tens of thousands of written comments. On January 21, 2000, Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman announced a new Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology that will bring together individuals with a broad range of expertise to advise the U.S. government on policies related to the creation, application, marketability, trade and use of agricultural biotechnology. The Secretary formed this committee not because of concerns about products currently on the market, but to ensure that USDA is fully prepared for the future.