Based on the analysis of domestic and foreign scientific and technical information, the state, trends in the development of biotechnology and genetic engineering in agriculture, the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified organisms of plants and food are presented. Attention is paid to legislative measures of various countries to ensure the safety of transgenic plants and products, their identification. The problems of bioterrorism in the agricultural sphere and everyday life are considered. Proposals have been formulated for the development of agrobioengineering in Russia and ensuring its safety.