However, largely because of the unscientific policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency, plant genetic engineering has realized only a small fraction of its potential.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

The biggest overseers and meddlers are the departments of Treasury, Health and Human Services, Commerce, and Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

FORBES: The Economy Needs A 'Deregulatory Stimulus'

Given their authorities, programs, and expertise, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) have institutional capacities that can contribute significantly to the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and restoration efforts, including scientific and policy expertise as well as experience gained in the Task Force process and other planning efforts in the Gulf area.

WHITEHOUSE: Executive Order -- Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration

At the event, officials from the Departments of Transportation, Labor, Energy, Education, and Agriculture, as well as from the Office of Personnel Management, National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency and Corporation for National and Community Service, met with leaders of STEM mentoring organizations and members of the public.

WHITEHOUSE: Celebrating Mentoring Month with Science and Engineering

The five most active rule-producing agencies the departments of the Treasury, Health and Human Services, Commerce, Agriculture, along with the Environmental Protection Agency account for 1, 820 rules, or 43% of all rules in the Unified Agenda pipeline.

FORBES: Ten Thousand Commandments: How Much Regulation Is Enough?

But the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture bought neither the consensus of the scientific community nor the directives from the White House.

FORBES: Back To The Future: Let's Reverse 25 Years Of Flawed Agbiotech Regulation

Each scientist or engineer is employed or funded by the Federal government and includes members of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Interior, Veterans Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and National Science Foundation.

WHITEHOUSE: Browse White House visitor logs