Farmers used to rely on plant breeding to add, or eliminate, specific genetic traits in a plant. For example, corn today looks nothing like it did one hundred years ago because of plant breeding. Genetic enhancement, a key feature of modern agricultural biotechnology, is a more efficient and precise way to achieve the benefits of crop improvement. Using new technologies, scientists are now able to pinpoint the gene responsible for a particular trait, then extract, or add, that gene to a specific plant. Foods produced using biotechnology have not been established as safe nor are they adequately regulated.
Biotechnology is one of the most extensively researched and reviewed agricultural developments ever.
In 1992, FDA determined that crops produced by biotechnology must meet the same rigorous standards as those created through traditional means. Years of research indicate the benefits of agricultural biotechnology far outweigh any risks. Companies conduct advanced research and analyses on food developed using biotechnology. This adds an additional layer of safety. The application of biotechnology to food only benefits food producers, not consumers.