Easier Rules Proposed For Field Testing Crops Changes Simplify Testing Of Genetically Engineered Plants

The Agriculture Department wants to make it easier for researchers to field test genetically engineered plants, but critics worry the government will loosen the reins too much.

The department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service last week proposed measures to ease the paperwork burden on private and academic researchers.

Critics worry whether scientists and regulators know enough about gene-splicing a broad variety of plants to let most testing occur without advance government review and little public notice.

Two years ago, the department streamlined the process for genetically engineered tobacco, tomatoes, cotton, corn, soybeans and potatoes. But plant scientists are experimenting with a variety of other plants, including flowers, trees, nuts and many vegetables.

Field tests let researchers watch how a plant really performs. The Agriculture Department makes sure the plant poses no threat to other plants or the environment - by being more disease or insect prone, for instance.

Under the proposal, researchers would not have to seek a permit for field tests of most plants. It takes four months and a variety of data to get a permit.

The department’s main concern is to keep the plants isolated and make sure none remain in the field after the test is completed.

Under the proposal, researchers would only have to give notice of field tests, with the department having 30 days in which to object. Researchers still would be held accountable for making the process safe.

“The safety characteristics of the field trials aren’t different whether it’s done under notification or permit,” said John Payne, acting director of the the biotechnology, biologics and environmental protection staff.

Also under the proposal, researchers would have to report their field test results only if something unusual happened instead of soon after each field test. The results would still be required when researchers ask permission for the plant to be sold commercially.