Foods have been modified naturally and through breeding
techniques for thousands of years. Advances in natural or
conventional breeding techniques flourished in the 20th century
and, among other things, increased yield, addressed pest issues and
created specific nutrient attributes. Advances in science led to
the development of recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
technology and what is known as "Genetically Modified"
food. GM food contains genetic material that has been modified
through in vitro recombinant (DNA) techniques, which allow for
modifications that could not otherwise be obtained using
conventional breeding methods.
GM food is regulated through a "coordinated framework"
of federal agencies that includes the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA). The FDA issued its Statement of
Policy in 1992 concerning foods derived from new varieties (57
FR 22984) and issued
