Executive Summary
GMOs are created by altering an organism's original genetic makeup through the introduction, rearranging, or removing of specific genes. To date, the majority of benefits associated with GMOs have focused on making crop production more economical. For example, it is possible for farmers to grow plants that are resistant to insecticides, herbicides, or pests. Future GMOs are expected to enhance the nutritional value of foods.
Genetically modified (GM) crops are now grown in 25 countries. The European Union continues to be skeptical about GMOs and their benefits. Although Europe and the US have the largest amounts of arable land in the world, the EU grows less than 1% of the world's GMOs. In contrast, 91% of all soybeans, 87% of cotton, and 73% of corn acres in America were planted with genetically modified seeds in 2007. The use of GM crops is also growing tremendously in the developed world.
Risks to human health and the environment do exist with GMOs, but quantifying them is difficult. One concern is that food allergenic compounds may be transferred from one organism to another. The process of creating GMOs may also contribute to antibiotic resistance in humans. From an environmental stand point, some worry that cross-pollination between GM crops and conventional plants reduces biodiversity. In addition, herbicide and insecticide resistant plants seem to promote heavier use of chemicals to eradicate weeds and other pests around crops.
In the US, the USDA, EPA, and FDA are responsible for the regulation of GMOs. Pre-market review of genetically modified food products is minimal and labeling is not required. The FDA has provided guidance, however, on voluntary labels that GMO producers may use. The EU, in contrast, placed a moratorium on the import of any products containing GMOs. This action resulted in a complaint by the US, Argentina, and Canada to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO later ruled in favor of the countries who filed the complaint.
Consumers in the EU continue to oppose GM food products. EU Directive 2001/18/EC regulates and restricts the distribution of GMOs and foods with GM ingredients. Both traceability and labeling are important components of EU food safety measures, including those that apply to GMOs. Large agricultural biotechnology companies, including US-based Monsanto and German-based BASF, have made decisions to exclude the EU nations from their marketing efforts. However, GMO markets in the US, China and India continue to expand.
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