Biotechology

Issue

What is the appropriate level of regulation of biotechnology-enhanced products? Should the Legislature pass a law requiring state labeling or regulation of biotechnology-enhanced products? Should the state, through the University of Minnesota and other research institutions, facilitate and encourage scientific research in biotechnology?

Policy

• The federal government has the responsibility to regulate food, plant and other biotechnology-enhanced products under statutes and regulations adopted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency. Regulation by these agencies ensures that products are safe under a uniform national policy.

• The Minnesota Chamber opposes state legislation that requires labeling or regulation of biotechnology-enhanced products or that places a moratorium on the research, development and use of such products. State regulation will interfere with national standards, place an undue burden on Minnesota businesses attempting to compete in the global marketplace and cause confusion for consumers.

• The state, through the University of Minnesota and other research institutions, should facilitate and encourage scientific research in biotechnology to promote improvements in food and plant production, medical sciences, and to develop products that will enhance human health and nutrition and the economy of Minnesota.

Business Impact

Biotechnology is an important part of U.S. and Minnesota agriculture. According to USDA estimates, 93 percent of the soybeans grown (92 percent in Minnesota) and 86 percent of the corn grown (88 percent in Minnesota) in the United States are of a biotechnology variety. The state’s farmers have been quick to adopt this technology because it enables them to protect their crops from insects and disease while at the same time improving yields with less impact on the environment. Food biotechnology may well lead to the creation of disease-preventive foods and more effective drugs and vaccines.

The biotechnology industry has grown rapidly in recent years, more than doubling in size since the early 1990s. A recent study by Ernst and Young Economics Consulting estimated that the combined direct and indirect activities of the biotechnology industry contributed more than 437,000 jobs and $70 billion in revenues to the U.S. economy. New advances in genomics research and drug development will accelerate the industry's contributions to human sciences, agricultural production and environmental quality in Minnesota.