A deal would be desirable so that we would have an international instrument that would help us address this problem. And it's important that we continue to do so. The lines of communications have to remain open. Critics of agricultural biotechnology have expressed concern that the new technology creates uncertainties about long-term effects on human health and the environment. Food products with higher levels of vitamins or reduced saturated fats are also in development.
Any new technology has risks associated with it.
In the United States, we have a regulatory apparatus for addressing the risks. At the same time, we should not ignore the tremendous potential benefits of biotechnology.