Washington, DC
January 17,  2001

Carl B. Feldbaum, president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), issued the following statement today regarding a notice of an FDA proposed rule published in today's Federal
Register. 

"Today's announcement of modified regulations governing foods and crops produced through biotechnology is another milestone towards maintaining consumer confidence in and support for biotechnology as an essential tool in modern food production. 

"Just over a year ago BIO, consumer groups and other interested parties participated in three public meetings to provide the Food and Drug Administration with suggestions to bolster consumer confidence in biotechnology and provide greater understanding of how biotech foods are created, regulated and labeled. Today, we see the fruits of not just our efforts, but those of the thousands of members of the public who participated in the public comment process. 

"The increased openness and accountability that will flow from the changes FDA announced today provide renewed grounds for the confidence American consumers have in our food supply and the regulatory system to ensure its safety. The U.S. regulatory system is a model around the world because it is grounded in science, not superstition, or uninformed emotion." 

BIO represents more than 950 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and more than 27 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. 

For more information: BIO's testimony at FDA's November 1999 public meetings can be found at
http://www.bio.org/food&ag/011300statement.html .  

BIO news release
N3263