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NEW YORK (AP) — President Trump wants to make it easier for genetically engineered plants and animals to enter the food supply, and he signed an executive order Tuesday directing federal agencies to simplify the “regulatory maze” for producers.
The move comes as companies are turning to newer genetic engineering techniques that make it easier to tinker with the traits of plants and animals.
Greg Jaffe, biotechnology director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said the impact of the executive order will depend on the details of how it’s carried out by federal agencies. Simply deregulating could make people lose confidence in genetically engineered foods, he said.
“There needs to be an assurance of safety for those products,” said Jaffe, who was among those briefed by government officials on a call before the order was announced.
The order also noted the government’s policies should urge trading partners to adopt similar regulatory approaches. Even if the U.S. loosens regulations on genetically engineered foods, Jaffe noted companies could be hampered by regulations overseas.
How genetically engineered plants and animals are currently regulated in the U.S. varies depending on the exact methods used to produce them, and federal agencies have already been working to clarify policies as new technologies have emerged. But already, some aspects of the administration’s approach have worried consumer advocacy groups.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed changing its regulations in a way that would mean much of the genetically modified corn and soy grown in the U.S. today would not necessarily have been subject to special oversight.
Crops produced with newer gene-editing technologies also wouldn’t automatically be subject to special oversight under the proposed rule, unless they posed a risk as plant pests. Companies have said that gene-editing allows them to more precisely alter plants and animals, and that what they’re doing could theoretically be achieved through conventional breeding.
But Jaydee Hanson of the Center for Food Safety said gene editing could also be used to make more significant changes, including those that would never happen in nature, and said oversight is necessary.
“Some of this is what I call a faith-based approach, and not science-based approach to regulation. They have faith that none of these things are going to cause any problems,” Hanson said.
The executive order may have a bigger impact for genetically engineered animals, which are currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and could face greater hurdles. A genetically modified salmon that grows faster than regular salmon underwent years of regulatory reviews before being approved.
But the fish was technically reviewed as a new animal drug, a process companies say is inappropriate for genetically engineered animals for food. AquaBounty’s fish eggs only recently cleared a final regulatory hurdle and are not yet ready for sale in the United States.
In the meantime, other companies have been using the newer gene-editing techniques to develop other plants and animals .

July 1, 1939 — June 11, 2019
Ray Anthony Eues, a resident of Morgan City, was born on July 1, 1939. Ray was born in Morgan City to the late Felix Joseph Eues and the late Inez Marie LeBoeuf Eues Romero. He passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 79 on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, while residing at the Patterson Healthcare Center.
He was a Christian man who loved playing the drums and enjoyed jazz, and rhythm and blues music. Ray was an All-State drummer and played in the Tiger Marching Band and also in the 60’s played with Vince Anthony and the Blue Notes in nightclubs in New Orleans as well as many local clubs and dance halls in Morgan City. Ray was also instrumental in starting the successful Morgan City Civic Band in the 70’s and was an avid LSU and Saint’s sports fan. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish his memory include six children, Angel’ Eues Henton and her husband Kirk, Scott Anthony Eues and his wife Vicki, Suzette Eues Mateo, Brian David Eues and his husband Sam, Darlin Eues Lacour and her husband Joey and Cherie Eues Mayeaux and her husband Rick; 12 grandchildren, Courtney and Kyle, Daniel, Duane and Russell, Brandon, Dillon and Marissa, Savannah, Emma, Ava and Ray; and one brother, Wayne Eues and his wife Charlie Ann; as well as countless nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Ida Dell Agnes Adams Eues on December 24, 2014, as well as by his parents and also a brother, Earl Joseph Eues Sr.
We would like to thank the nurses and staff of Patterson Healthcare Center and Journey Hospice of Houma. They helped make our Dad comfortable and loved on him like family.
A private memorial will be held at a later date.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, LA 70392, (985) 395-7873.

HAM RADIO
Morgan City Public Library hosting ham radio operators 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 18. Public invited to visit Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Service members to learn about ham radio. The library also hosts a ham radio display June 17-21.