APHIS: GE Soybean and GE Chrysanthemum Unlikely to Pose Increased Plant Pest Risk

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reviewed a soybean plant and a chrysanthemum plant that were modified using genetic engineering (GE) to determine whether they present an increased pest risk as compared to unmodified plants. The review found that GE plants are unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated soybean and chrysanthemum plants.

The GE soybean is from ZeaKal, Inc., modified to increase seed oil and protein content. Suntory Flowers Limited modified the chrysanthemum plant for altered flower color. The plants are not subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340, and may be safely grown and used in breeding in the United States.

Under 7 CFR part 340, developers may request a Regulatory Status Review (RSR) when they believe a modified plant is not subject to regulation. APHIS reviews the modified plant and considers whether it might pose an increased plant pest risk compared to a nonregulated plant. If the review finds a plant is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk relative to the comparator plant, APHIS issues a response indicating the plant is not subject to the regulations. APHIS posted the RSR responses on their website as required under 7 CFR part 340.

For more details, read the media release on the APHIS website.