Smith s report is the culmination of a series of hearings held on agricultural biotechnology issues by the Basic Research Subcommittee last year. It contains 13 specific findings and makes 6 recommendations. Agricultural biotechnology holds tremendous potential to provide consumers safe and nutritious foods, feed a growing world population, protect the environment, aid farmers, and lower costs to consumers, Smith said. Implementing the recommendations in this report would ensure that this potential is fulfilled. This report concludes that there is no distinction between plants bred using biotechnology and those produced through traditional crossbreeding.
Biotechnology can play a significant role in the future of agriculture.
It can help farmers improve their yields, and decrease their reliance on chemical agents. Because of his efforts, Americans can look forward to a cleaner environment and better, safer produce. The report addresses many of the concerns surrounding agricultural biotechnology, including the Monarch butterfly, allergens, toxins, antibiotic resistance, and outcrossing. It concludes that plants and foods produced using agricultural biotechnology pose risks no greater than those for plants and foods developed using traditional methods. I think the real value of this report is that it has let the voice of the scientific community come through unfiltered to address these contentious issues, said Smith.