Consumer Knowledge and Behavior Re: Agricultural Biotechnology and Biotechnology-Derived Food Products and Animal Feed - Wave III: Focus Groups Exploring Consumer Reactions to Educational Materials

OMB No. 0910-0497
Appendix V

Expiration Date: 10/31/2020

f e e d yo u r m i n d

A Timeline
of Genetic
Modification in
Agriculture

circa

8000

BCE

Humans use traditional
modification methods like
selective breeding and
cross-breeding to breed
plants and animals with
more desirable traits.

For thousands of years,
people have worked
to improve crops,
livestock, and the
foods they eat. In the
20th century, scientists
found a new way to
modify food faster and
more precisely—called
genetic engineering.
This timeline highlights
some of the key dates
in the development of
genetic engineering and
the production of GMO
(genetically modified
organism) foods.

1866
Gregor Mendel, an Austrian
monk, breeds two different
types of peas and identifies
the basic process of genetics.

1922
The first hybrid corn
is produced and sold
commercially.

1940
Plant breeders learn to use
radiation or chemicals to
change a plant’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 (a more precise
form of genetic modification)
by inserting DNA from one
bacteria into another.

1982
FDA approves the first
consumer product
developed through genetic
engineering: a form of
insulin to treat diabetes.

FDA

EPA
USDA

1986
The federal government
establishes the Coordinated
Framework for the Regulation
of Biotechnology. This policy
defines how FDA, USDA,
and EPA work together to
regulate the safety of GMOs.

1992
U.S. food policy states
that food from GMO plants
must meet the same safety
requirements as foods
derived from traditionally
bred plants.

1994
FDA approves the sale of the
first GMO produce created
through genetic engineering—
a GMO tomato—after studies
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:
squash, soybeans, cotton,
corn, papayas, tomatoes,
potatoes, and canola.

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

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

2015
Genetically modified salmon is
the first GMO animal approved
for use as food in the U.S.

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

Get more information about GMOs at feedyourmind.gov.