FDA’s Regulation of Plant and Animal Biotechnology Products
Better understand genetically engineered foods (GMOs)
FDA relies on its authorities granted by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act and the Public Health Service (PHS) Act to regulate products, including biotechnology products. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, FDA also evaluates the environmental impacts of "major actions," such as product approvals. Under these statutes, FDA is charged, among other things, with helping ensure that:
- Human and animal food is safe and properly labeled;
- Human and animal drugs are safe and effective;
- There is a reasonable assurance that medical devices intended for human use are safe and effective;
- Cosmetics are safe and properly labeled; and,
- Human biological products are safe, pure, and potent.
The FDA regulates plant and animal biotechnology products in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), consistent with the U.S. Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology. Each of these regulatory agencies have developed regulations and guidance documents to implement its authority under existing laws to help ensure the safety and, where applicable, the effectiveness of biotechnology products.
As the landscape of biotechnology products evolves along with advances in molecular techniques, FDA is committed to protecting public and animal health and to working with stakeholders to increase the transparency, coordination, and predictability of the regulatory system so as to enhance public confidence in the regulatory system while also avoiding unnecessary barriers to innovation.
Plant and Animal Biotechnology Programs and Activities at FDA
- FDA’s Plant and Animal Biotechnology Innovation Action Plan
Provides an overview of priorities the FDA will pursue to support innovation in plant and animal biotechnology and to advance the agency’s public health mission. - Modernizing the Regulatory System for Plant and Animal Biotechnology Products
FDA continues to work with EPA and USDA to modernize the regulatory system for plant and animal biotechnology products. - Human and Animal Food from Plants Developed Using Biotechnology
Find information here about FDA’s role in overseeing the safety of human and animal foods derived from genetically engineered plants. - Intentionally Altered Genomic DNA in Animals and Plant Biotechnology for Animal Food
Find information here about animal-related biotechnology products. - Animals with Intentional Genomic Alterations
Find guidances, approvals, and other information related to animals with intentionally altered genomic DNA. - Rural Prosperity
FDA engages with the interagency Task Force on biotechnology-related activities to promote Agricultural and Rural Prosperity. - Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative
FDA, in consultation with USDA, is working to provide outreach and education to consumers on agricultural biotechnology.
Spotlight
Biotechnology News
Resources for You
- Human & Animal Food Biotechnology Guidance Documents & Regulatory Information
- Animal & Veterinary Biotechnology Guidances
- FDA Issues Final Guidance Clarifying FDA and EPA Jurisdiction over Mosquito-Related Products
- NASEM Future Products of Biotechnology (2017)
- NASEM GE Crops Study (2016)