The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) released
the draft Environmental Assessment (dEA) and draft Plant Pest Risk
Assessment (dPRA) of genetically engineered (GE) cotton with ultra-low
levels of gossypol in the seed (event TAM66274). The documents were made
available for public comment to be considered for potential deregulation of
the GE cotton variety.

Gossypol is a naturally produced compound in the pigment of cotton, which
protects the plant from pests and diseases. The GE cotton under public
comment has protective levels of gossypol in the plant parts except in the
seed, where there is lower gossypol content. Cottonseed meal, a byproduct of
cotton used in food and feed, is not widely used because high concentrations
of gossypol are potentially toxic. Thus, once the GE cotton with ultra-low
levels of gossypol becomes deregulated, cottonseed meal can be used more
readily.

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