Biotech Updates

Kentucky Bluegrass: Not a Regulated Article

September 9, 2011

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) serves notice that Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) developed by Scotts Miracle-Gro Company does not meet the definition of a regulated article under APHIS regulations for genetically engineered organisms.

Kentucky bluegrass was genetically engineered without plant pest components or unclassified organisms. It was designed to express an enzyme, 5- enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase, from thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), which imparts tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate.

APHIS administers the regulations on the ''Introduction of Organisms and Products Altered or Produced Through Genetic Engineering Which Are Plant Pests or Which There Is Reason to Believe Are Plant Pests''. It regulates, among other things, the introduction (importation, interstate movement, or release into the environment) of organisms and products altered or produced through genetic engineering that are plant pests or that there is reason to believe are plant pests. Such genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products are considered ''regulated articles.''

APHIS' response letter is at http:// www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/ news.shtml. A media release is at
http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/07/07/2011-17117/scotts-miracle-gro-co-regulatory-status-of-kentucky-bluegrass-genetically-engineered-for-herbicide