Responsible use of new plant biotechnologies could contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally compatible agriculture. Responsible development and use of modified plants is essential to protecting the quality of life and the environment for an ever-growing world population. Concerns raised by some interests about this technology and its products include food and environmental safety issues and socioeconomic and ethical matters. To the extent that scientific data can be gathered to address these concerns, the ASPB supports and encourages such investigations. Regulatory agencies now mandate extensive safety testing of new biotechnology-derived food products, testing which far exceeds that of foods created by classical breeding.
Consumer confidence is paramount to the acceptance of the products of biotechnology.
It is imperative that the extensive federal regulatory framework presently in place be maintained and regularly reviewed to determine whether additional scientific data are needed to address consumer concerns. A number of expressed environmental concerns currently raised as potential problems with modified plants also should be considered. A number of these concerns also must be addressed with conventionally bred plants and traditional agricultural practices. Scientists and regulators must continue to guard against gene transfer to compatible wild species, development of pesticide-resistant insects and possible adverse effects on genetic diversity. Regulators, scientists and farmers should continue to maintain sufficient monitoring to assess the environmental effects of large-scale growth of crops modified through biotechnology.