Environmental Regulation 

Your World Biotechnology & You v.4, i.1 Fall94

mindfully.org note: Two things to keep in mind while reading:

1) It is from a children's' magazine that is shipped directly to schools. As of spring 2001, 5,000 schools around the world recieve this. Published by the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association, now called the Biotechnology Institute The founding members are BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization), Monsanto, Novartis, Pfizer, Amgen, BioAlliance, Fischer Scientific, Genencor International, MdBio, PAbiotech,  Council for Biotechnology Information.
2) It is the 'truth' as seen through the eyes of the biotech industry

In the days before environmental regulations, factories could pour their untreated wastes into our sewers and spew their smoky emissions into the air without penalty. In the early 1960s, the Nashua River in New Hampshire ran different colors depending on what color paper the mills were making that day. As citizens across the nation became fed up with such pollution, Congress created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and passed a series of environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. To enforce these acts, the EPA identifies the chemicals that can cause harm and regulates them (meaning that it sets acceptable levels and makes sure those levels are not exceeded). With the help of other agencies, it tests and monitors the chemicals in our environment; it identifies areas where pollution needs to be cleaned up; and it oversees the clean up.

The EPA must constantly search for new ways to test for pollutants, and biotechnology is helping with that effort. Biosensors for testing and bioremediation for cleanup, for example, can cut the cost of testing and cleanup while increasing accuracy and efficiency. The EPA understands the benefits of these technologies and is funding research and development of new testing and remediation efforts. In addition, the products of biotechnology can help reduce the amount of pollution going into the environment: biological, agricultural, and industrial products of biotechnology are eliminating tons of harmful pollutants each year.

The EPA also regulates the products of biotechnology used in the environment, from microorganisms and enzymes to genetically engineered plants. Biotechnology companies and researchers must use rigorous scientific processes to test products and evaluate their impact on the environment. The EPA helps make sure the highest scientific standards are used. It works with other federal agencies to establish clear guidelines for reviewing information and testing, as well as for assessing the risks and benefits of new technologies. For instance, the microorganisms used for bioremediation fall under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). Before a bacterium can be used for a bioremediation site, the producer must show that the bacterium actually reduces the contamination, will not spread beyond the site, and does not have any unintended harmful effects on the environment or on the humans who work with it.

Biotechnology thus plays a double role for environmental regulations. On the one hand, regulations make sure that the biotechnology industry provides safe and useful products. On the other hand, biotechnology can help our country meet our goals of environmental protection and regulation.