USDA regulation of field trials of recombinant-DNA-modified plants: reforms leave severe flaws

In May 1997, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a reduction in the regulatory requirements for field trials involving recombinant DNA (rDNA)-modified plants. In the announcement, the agency responsible for this regulation, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) states that it 'anticipates that this Final Rule will be generally welcomed by public and private researchers because it is estimated that it could save the industry as a whole perhaps $50,000 in costs associated with preparing submissions.