Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative - Experimental Study to Test the Efficacy of Educational Materials (CFSAN)

OMB No. 0910 - 0865

Expiration Date: 02/28/2022

f e e d yo u r m i n d

A Timeline
of Genetic
Modification
in MODERN
Agriculture
For thousands of years, people have worked to improve
crops, livestock, and the foods we eat. In the 20th
century, scientists found a way to modify food faster
and more precisely by changing an organism's DNA.
This process, called genetic engineering, produces
genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This timeline
highlights key dates in the development of GMO foods.

1940
Plant breeders learn to use
radiation or chemicals to
change an organism's DNA.

1953
Building on the discoveries
of chemist Rosalind Franklin,
scientists James Watson
and Francis Crick identify
the structure of DNA.

1973
Biochemists Herbert Boyer and
Stanley Cohen develop genetic
engineering by inserting DNA
from one bacteria into another.

1982
FDA approves the first
consumer GMO product
developed through genetic
engineering: human insulin
to treat diabetes.

FDA

1986

EPA

The federal government
establishes the Coordinated
Framework for the Regulation
of Biotechnology. This policy
describes how FDA, USDA,
and EPA work together to
regulate the safety of GMOs.

USDA

1992
FDA policy states that
foods from GMO plants
must meet the same
requirements, including the
same safety standards, as
foods derived from
traditionally bred plants.

1994
The first GMO produce created
through genetic engineering—
a GMO tomato—becomes
available for sale after studies
evaluated by federal agencies
proved it to be as safe as
traditionally bred tomatoes.

1990S
The first wave of GMO
produce created through
genetic engineering becomes
available to consumers:
summer squash, soybeans,
cotton, corn, papayas,
tomatoes, potatoes, and
canola. Not all are still
available for sale.

2003
The World Health Organization
(WHO) and the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO)
of the United Nations develop
international guidelines and
standards to measure the
safety of GMO foods.

2005
GMO alfalfa and sugar
beets are available for sale
in the U.S.

2015
FDA approves an application
for the first genetic
modification in an animal for
use as food, a genetically
modified salmon.

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Congress passes a law
requiring labeling for some
foods produced through
genetic engineering and uses
the term “bioengineered,”
which will start to appear
on some foods.

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2016

2017
GMO apples are available
for sale in the U.S.

2019
FDA completes consultation
on first food from a genome
edited plant.

Get more information about GMOs
at www.fda.gov/feedyourmind.

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s oy b e a n

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