The plan describes how the manufacturer registering the plant product will assure that resistance does not build up in affected insect populations and reduce the effectiveness of Bt applied topically or used through the plant's genetics. EPA also evaluates the new use of herbicides on herbicide-tolerant transgenic plants. FDA policy is based on existing food law and requires that genetically engineered foods meet the same rigorous safety standards as is required of all other foods. The FDA biotechnology policy treats substances intentionally added to food through genetic engineering as food additives if they are significantly different in structure, function, or amount from substances currently found in food. Many of the food crops currently being developed using biotechnology do not contain substances that are significantly different from those already in the diet and thus do not require pre-market approval.
Science informs the decision-making process of the regulators at a variety of levels.
The available published scientific literature, particularly from peer-reviewed journals, is used by regulators in evaluating specific products. Applicants cite this literature in their applications for regulatory approval. As in the case of the NAS, the scientific enterprise can be asked to identify the scientific issues and recommend approaches to particular types of products. Meetings of scientists can be called to address specific issues, as have past meetings on Bt, viral recombination, and relevant biological factors for evaluating crop plants. Information can even be requested on specific products.