The agency treats genetically engineered products as though they pose some inherent, systematic, unique risks, when theoretical considerations, risk-assessment experiments and practical experience make it clear that they do not: A quarter-century-old scientific consensus holds that the molecular techniques of genetic engineering are an extension, or refinement, of less precise and predictable techniques for genetically improved products with which consumers and government regulators have long familiarity and comfort.

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Regulators treat these important products as though they pose uniquely worrisome risks, in spite of a long-standing consensus in the scientific community that the newer techniques are essentially an extension, or refinement, of more primitive ones.

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Although such genetic engineering is essentially an extension, or refinement, of techniques that have been around for centuries, it has led to less use of chemical pesticides, a drop in pesticide poisoning of farmers and their families, more environment-friendly agronomic practices and greater profits for farmers.

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In other words, recombinant DNA techniques were viewed as an extension, or refinement, of long-used and familiar methods for making drugs.

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