EVALUATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY RISK
ASSESSMENT RESEARCH GRANTS PROGRAM:

COMMENTS FROM THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY AND
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE PROGRAMMING

A printed version of this report, including Appendices, is available from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology's Life Sciences Research Office, who coordinated this review. Contact information.

Title Page and Foreword

Executive Summary

I. Introduction
A. Background
B. Objectives
C. Technical Approach
D. Organization and Format of the Report

II. Comments on the Strengths and Weaknesses of the
Scientific Aspects of USDA's Current Biotechnology
Risk Assessment Research Grants Program (BRARGP)

A. Comments of the ad hoc Reviewers
1. General Comments
2. Specific Concerns
3. The Annual Conference
4. General Recommendations About the Program

B. Conclusions of the Expert Panel

III. Review of the Nine Areas Targeted by the USDA BRARGP (Part 1)

A. General Comments
B. Specific Comments of the Reviewers and Expert Panel on the Nine Objectives

1. Objective 1
2. Objective 2
3. Objective 3
4. Objective 4
Review of the Nine Areas Targeted by the USDA BRARGP (Part 2)
5. Objective 5
6. Objective 6
7. Objective 7
8. Objective 8
9. Objective 9

IV. Comments on the Adequacy of Current Scientific Knowledge
About Risk Assessment

A. Current Gaps in Knowledge and Possible Areas to be Targeted
for Future Research Initiatives by the USDA CSREES
B. Potential New Directions or Criteria for Decision-making in
Biotechnology Risk Assessment
C. Potential New Methods and Scientific Disciplines Required
to be Included in the Establishment of New Approaches
D. Comments and Recommendations of the ad hoc Expert Panel

V. Study Participants

APPENDICES
(not provided here)
A. 1996 Federal Register Announcement
B. Reviewer's Full Comments on the Program
C. Individuals Contributing Comments to this Report