Final answer:
The FDA required a scientific and regulatory assessment of new GE crops 120 days before marketing in 2001. Scientific consensus by NASEM and other organizations finds GE crops safe, but notes the importance of monitoring potential risks. These crops undergo thorough reviews for health and environmental safety before approval.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 2001, the FDA required developers to submit a scientific and regulatory assessment of their new genetically engineered (GE) crop approximately 120 days before the bioengineered food is marketed. This regulation underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of GE crops, which has been a topic of discussion and review among various scientific bodies.
The US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), along with organizations such as the American Medical Association, have concluded that GE crops are safe. The NASEM's GE Crop Report found no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between commercially available GE crops and conventionally bred crops. They have also highlighted the importance of continued monitoring of GE crops for any potential environmental or health risks.
Concerns regarding the potential for GE crops to produce new allergens or affect biodiversity are recognized, and it is generally recommended that both GE and traditionally bred crops be studied for potential risks. While some evidence of genetic transfer between GE crops and wild relatives has been noted, there has been no evidence of ecological harm from that transfer, suggesting that the monitoring of the impacts of GE crops is a prudent measure.