On January 15, 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration issued its final regulations governing the approval of genetically engineered animals.

Genetic engineering involves using recombinant DNA (rDNA) to introduce new characteristics or traits into an animal. Proponents of genetic engineering say the practice will lead to animals that can grow faster, produce healthier foods, or be resistant to certain diseases, such as mad cow disease. Also, it can improve the environment by making animal waste less toxic; genetically engineered pigs produce less phosphorus in their waste. Fish have been genetically engineered to grow to market size faster so that the wild ocean populations will not be subject to such intensive harvest pressure.

Opponents say the practice could unleash unintended consequences by altering the traditional genetic structures of animals. Many consumer groups asked the FDA to require labels identifying food as coming

from genetically engineered animals. However, FDA officials said that while a genetically engineered animal has to be labeled as such, any food products from that animal do not.

Although many kinds of genetically engineered animals are in development, none has yet been approved by the agency for marketing. Genetically engineered animals will require FDA approval before they can enter the marketplace.

The safety of genetically engineered animals intended for sale as food will be decided on a case-by-case basis, producers of the animals will have to demonstrate that the new genetic traits perform as claimed, the agency said.

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