Which regulation oversees any type of GMO that impacts the environment and requires federal preparation of Environmental Assessments (EA) or Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) in certain cases?

• A. NEPA
• B. EPA
• C. FDA
• D. APHIS

Answer: (A)

The rule being tested is a federal requirement for environmental review of actions that can affect the environment. This law obligates any federal agency to assess the environmental consequences of its proposed actions and to document those effects through an Environmental Assessment or, if the impacts could be significant, an Environmental Impact Statement. When a genetically modified organism interacts with the environment and a federal action is involved—such as approval, permitting, or field testing—the NEPA review is triggered to ensure environmental considerations are integrated into decision making. The other entities—EPA, FDA, and APHIS—are agencies that regulate different aspects of GMOs, but the obligation to conduct the formal environmental review process (EA or EIS) for federal actions comes from NEPA.