The Regulation of GMOs

According to the University of Washington, the regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) falls under the purveyance of different government agencies, depending on the final product produced for consumption.

GMOs

The U.K. Government's Health & Safety Executive describes a GMO as a living organism that has it make-up altered. Scientists work in laboratories to alter the genes of living organisms to introduce new characteristics into existing organisms, such as fruits and vegetables.

Agencies

The Council on Foreign Relations reports that in the 1980s the U.S. Congress split the policy-making process surrounding GMOs between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The FDA was given responsibility for genetically modified medical products, the USDA for genetically modified plants and the EPA for pesticides.

Problems

According to the University of Washington, some source maintain that the federal approach to GMO regulations is insufficient and influenced too strongly by the GMO industry. The Council on Foreign Relations explains that non-government agencies are often excluded from policy-making opportunities regarding GMO technology.