Genetically modified food
A Genetically modified food isfood product containing some quantityany genetically modified organism (GMO) as an ingredient.
Some nations have very strong disagreement over genetically modified organisms. For example,European UnionJapanwillingmaintain labellingtraceability standardsGM food products, whileUnited States claimsviolates free trade agreements.
The first commercially grown genetically modified food crop wastomato created by Calgene calledFlavrSavr. Calgene submittedtoU.S. FoodDrug Administrationtesting1992; followingFDA's determination thatFlavrSavr was,fact,tomato, did not constitutehealth hazard,did not needbe labeledindicatewas genetically modified, Calgene releasedintomarket1994, wheremetlittle public comment.
Subsequent genetically modified food crops included virus-resistant squash,potato variant that included an organic pesticide called Bt (NB:EPA classifiedBt potato aspesticide, but required no labeling), strainscanola, soybean, corncotton engineered by Monsantobe immmunetheir popular herbicide Roundup,Bt corn.
There wasbrief interlude where Monsanto flirtedintroducingtechnology called terminator into food crops, which produced plants that grew sterile seeds. Monsanto claimed this was necessaryprotect their intellectual property rights, sincewere licensingtechnologyfarmers,would also have providedmeasureprotection against volunteer corn carrying unwanted traits,major concern that arose duringStarlink debacle.
Public outcry aboutundue influence thatterminator gene would giveMonsanto, particularlyless developed nations where seed savingmore common, ledits withdrawal.
Awareness grew throughoutninetieseventually producedstrong backlash against GM foods (discussed below), which were panned as "untested", "unlabeled""unsafe"; following this backlash,International Rice Research Institute,funding fromRockefeller Foundation developedstrainrice enrichedvitamin A through genetic modification, dubbed golden rice. Subsequentlybiotech industry touted this asboonpoor people suffering from Vitamin A deficiency, which can cause blindness. This was condemned by GM food opponents asploy andpublic relations move. (See golden ricemore.)
Many prominent environmental organizations, like Friends ofEarthGreenpeace, currently considerissue ofpresenceGMOsconventional food productsbemajor issue - indeed Greenpeace has made itcenterpiecetheir activism. In 2002, opponents placedmeasure onOregon ballot that would have made that statefirstrequire labellingGMO food.
Between 19962002,total surface arealand cultivatedGMOs has increased byfactorthirty. Land producing GMO crops grew from 1.7 million hectares (4.2 million acres)199652 million hectares (128 million acres)2001. The value2002 was 145 million acresfor 2003 was 167 million acres. Soybean crop represented 63%total surface2001, maize 19%, cotton 13%canola 5%.
Four countries represent 99%total GM surface2001: United States (68%), Argentina (22%), Canada (6%)China (3%). Itestimated that 70%products on U.S. grocery shelves include GM products. In particular, Bt cornwidely grown, assoybeans genetically designedtolerate Monsanto's Roundup herbicide.
The US Agriculture Department estimated that 38 percent of79 million acrescorn planted2003 will be genetically engineered varieties as well as 80% of73.2 million acres soybeans.
Genetically modified foodEurope
In Europe,seriesunrelated food crises during1990s (e.g.BSE (or 'mad cow' disease) outbreaksfootmouth disease) have created consumer apprehension about food safetygeneral,erodedpublic trustgovernment oversight offood industry. This has further fueled widespread public concern about GMOs,termsenvironmental protection (in particular biodiversity), healthsafetyconsumers andrightmake an informed choice. The apprehension might also be due toperceived noveltyGM foods, as well as cultural factors relatingfood. The mishandling ofBSE crisis has left some consumers unwillingconsider "science"beguaranteequality.
Although some claim genetically modified foods may even be safer than conventional products, many European consumersnevertheless demanding that their "rightknow"contentorigin offoodconsume be respected.
However, asresult ofhigh quantityGMO crops,adventitious presenceGMimported food products (shipmentsgrainfood, feedprocessingexample),now thought inevitablelargely unavoidable,usually not mentioned.
Incontextlocal food surplus where current GM food has little added nutritional value,European consumerwondering why any risk should be taken.
For these reasons,marketingGM foodregulated inmanner that helpsprovidenecessary levelssafety, transparencyreassurance. Atbeginning of2000's, European officials insisted that new regulations were needed"restore consumer confidence" intechnology. These new regulations required strict labellingtraceabilityall foodanimal feed containing more than 0.5 percent GM ingredients. Directives, such as directive 2001/18/EC, were designedrequire authorisation forplacing onmarketGMO,accordance withprecautionary principle. (see also Tax, tarifftrade).
One offeatures ofEuropean system iscomprehensive pre-market risk assessment,system tryingprovide meansproductsbe followed at each stagetheir productiondistribution, by both transmissionaccurate informationlabelling. This traceability ismeansimplement post-market measures such as monitoringwithdrawals (recalls).
This systemnot only limitedGMO products but should encompass any food product ultimately.
In GMO products, traceabilityusually limitedproducts where transformed DNA and/or transformed proteindetectable, notproducts that have been produced from GMOs but no longer appearscontain modified DNA and/or proteins. Officials stress that while traceability facilitatesimplementationsafety measures, where appropriate,cannotshould not be considered assafety measure.
In 1999,4 year ban was pronounced on new genetically modified crops. Atend2002, European Union environment ministers agreed new controls on GMOs could eventually lead15-member blocreopen its marketsGM foods. European Union ministers agreednew labelling controlsgenetically modified goods which will havecarryspecial harmless DNA sequence (a DNA code bar) identifyingorigin ofcrops, makingeasierregulatorsspot contaminated crops, feed, or food,enabling productsbe withdrawn fromfood chain should problems arise. A seriesadditional sequencesDNAencrypted information aboutcompany or what was done toproduct could also be addedprovide more data. (see Mandatory labelling).
See Trade war over genetically modified foodmore details on disputesmore recent developments betweenUnited States andEU arising from EU position on genetically modified organisms.
JapanGM food
Japan like Europe maintains labelling standardsGM food products. Japanese demandassistance has led tosmall effortset up separate processing facilitynon-GM soybeans inU.S.
Poor nationsGM food
Chinacurrentlyheavy producerGM cotton.
In March 2002, China introduced biosafety rules that demanded strict labelling, extensive documentationgovernment approvalfood shipments. Under these new rules, all soybean shipments fromUnited States were briefly interrupted until interim safety certificates could be acquired.
Poor nations' agriculture officialsreceiving training courses on GMO atAmerican Agriculture Department,instruction inWTO rules on GM productsbenefitsbiotechnology. U.S. industry groupsalso providing "technical assistance"fund initiatives that promote "science-basedtransparent biotechnology regulations"countries such as China.
See also Biosafety Protocol, conventional food, organic food, pre-market risk assessment, food monitoring, food withdrawal, Tax, tarifftrade
