Dear Ms. B:
Thank you for contacting me about the production and distribution of genetically modified (GM) foods. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments.
The United States enjoys the safest and most plentiful food supply in the world. Key to our successes are production and safety practices rooted in sound scientific practices. Among these practices, biotechnology, though still in its infancy, has the potential to help keep U.S. agriculture at the world's forefront while ensuring a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply.
Underscoring the immense size and slow response time of the federal government, biotechnology development, and the development of GM foods, continually outpaces the standards of federal agencies that regulate and monitor food products. Several federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), have a role in the development, production, and marketing stages of the entire U.S. food supply—whether traditional or GM. Any plant or animal product intended for human consumption must undergo strict scrutiny by the FDA and USDA. Additionally, the USDA must review and approve all GM crop varieties—subject to further examination by the Environmental Protection Agency—before planting.
As you know, food containing GM plant varieties is now commonplace. The Congressional Research Service estimates that nearly 70 percent of the U.S. food supply contains some form of GM crop variety—most notably corn and soy-based ingredients used in many processed foods. However, a small category of dairy products is currently the only GM food product derived from animals to be approved. Although questions were raised about the safety of meat and dairy products derived from cloned animals, the FDA has concluded that these products are as safe as meat and dairy products derived from naturally born animals. Cloning technology does not alter the genetic makeup of an animal, but rather generates an exact copy. The FDA is currently developing guidelines for monitoring the marketing of cloned and other animal-based food products with the help of the USDA and the biotechnology industry.
Additionally, questions have been raised regarding labeling requirements for GM foods. No government regulation exists to compel food manufacturers to label a product that contains a GM variety, however GM food products are subject to all existing USDA and FDA safety and labeling requirements. Moreover, the USDA has determined that cloned animals will not qualify for the USDA Organic marketing label.
I appreciate having the opportunity to represent Texans in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will work to ensure that decisions concerning the development, production, and marketing of our food supply continue to be rooted in sound and safe scientific practice. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
517 Hart Senate Office Building
517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
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