US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

7 U.S.C. § 5921

Biotechnology risk assessment research

(a)

Purpose

It is the purpose of this section—
(1)
to authorize and support environmental assessment research to help identify and analyze environmental effects of biotechnology; and
(2)
to authorize research to help regulators develop long-term policies concerning the introduction of such technology.
(b)

Grant program

The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a grant program within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service to provide the necessary funding for environmental assessment research concerning the introduction of genetically engineered animals, plants, and microorganisms into the environment.

(c)

Research priorities

The following types of research shall be given priority for funding:
(1)
Research designed to identify and develop appropriate management practices to minimize physical and biological risks associated with genetically engineered animals, plants, and microorganisms.
(2)
Research designed to develop methods to monitor the dispersal of genetically engineered animals, plants, and microorganisms.
(3)
Research designed to further existing knowledge with respect to the characteristics, rates, and methods of gene transfer that may occur between genetically engineered animals, plants, and microorganisms and related wild and agricultural organisms.
(4)
Environmental assessment research designed to provide analysis which compares the relative impacts of animals, plants, and microorganisms modified through genetic engineering to other types of production systems.
(5)
Other areas of research designed to further the purposes of this section.
(d)

Eligibility requirements

Grants under this section shall be—
(1)
made on the basis of the quality of the proposed research project; and
(2)
available to any public or private research or educational institution or organization.
(e)

Consultation

In considering specific areas of research for funding under this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board.

(f)

Program coordination

The Secretary of Agriculture shall coordinate research funded under this section with the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency in order to avoid duplication of research activities.

(g)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this section.

(2)

Withholdings from biotechnology outlays

The Secretary of Agriculture shall withhold from outlays of the Department of Agriculture for research on biotechnology, as defined and determined by the Secretary, at least 2 percent of such amount for the purpose of making grants under this section for research on biotechnology risk assessment.

(3)

Application of funds

Funds made available under this subsection shall be applied, to the maximum extent practicable, to risk assessment research on all categories identified in subsection (c).

Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1668104 Stat. 3767Pub. L. 102–237, title IV, § 407(9)105 Stat. 1865Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, § 7210116 Stat. 446Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7511(c)(21)122 Stat. 1269Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a)122 Stat. 1664(, , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , title VII, § 7511(c)(21), , , 2031.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234Pub. L. 110–246Pub. L. 110–234section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246 and made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by were repealed by .

Amendments

Pub. L. 110–246, § 7511(c)(21)2008—Subsec. (b). , substituted “National Institute of Food and Agriculture” for “Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service”.

Pub. L. 107–1712002— reenacted section catchline and amended text generally, substituting substantially similar provisions in subsecs. (a), (b), and (d) to (g), and substituting in subsec. (c), provisions relating to research priorities for provisions relating to types of research.

Pub. L. 102–2371991—Subsec. (g)(2). substituted “Withholdings” for “Witholdings” in heading.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–234Pub. L. 110–246Pub. L. 110–234section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246section 8701 of this titleAmendment of this section and repeal of by effective , the date of enactment of , except as otherwise provided, see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

section 7511(c)(21) of Pub. L. 110–246section 7511(c) of Pub. L. 110–246section 1522 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .