Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for microbial applications was slower to emerge, lingering uncertainties discouraged investment, and technological advances and commercial development followed a much slower trajectory.4 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) laid out timely guidance to ensure the safety of foods produced through biotechnology, which was critical to their commercial adoption.5 Guidance for animals improved through biotechnology was much slower to emerge, delaying their commercial development.6
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was the first agency to adopt new regulations for dealing with crops improved through biotechnology. This enabled an explosion in field trials, which, in turn, led to rapid commercialization of new seed varieties.3 Clear guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for microbial applications was slower to emerge, lingering uncertainties discouraged investment, and technological advances and commercial development followed a much slower trajectory.4 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) laid out timely guidance to ensure the safety of foods produced through biotechnology, which was critical to their commercial adoption.5 Guidance for animals improved through biotechnology was much slower to emerge, delaying their commercial development.6