Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
edible quality were considered to be of minor importance.
5
Because
pests, crop diseases, and weeds were being controlled with synthetic
chemicals, there was no pressing need to determine and incorpo-
rate genetic resistance features. The Register of Varieties regime also
unintentionally contributed to loss of biodiversity and loss of genetic
variability.
Until 1990, the Dutch system did not require safety assessments for
these crops and derivative foods prior to their entering the market.
Although the common practice of selecting favorable varieties and dis-
carding those exhibiting unwanted properties in the course of a breeding
program may have included some evaluation of safety, this was not for-
mally required. Even today, Dutch breeders may employ a plethora of
non-GM techniques to manipulate genetic characteristics, such as pro-
toplast fusion, embryo rescue, and mutagenesis, without undergoing the
rigorous safety assessments required for GM varieties, and do not know
precisely which genes they introduce into new crop varieties. Therefore,
the Dutch public's perceptions about the safety of conventional crops
and foods are grounded more in culture and tradition than in scientific
safety testing.
Introduction of GMCrops in the Netherlands
The Dutch government and parliament believe that GM varieties are a
very important field of development for the economy and civil society
at large. GM crop plants have the potential to resolve problems such as
improving the sustainability of agriculture. However, the public consid-
ers it necessary to ensure that safety, administrative transparency, and
personal freedom of choice are not compromised. The risks posed by
GM crops and foods have been debated for the past thirty-five years. In
the mid-1970s the focus was primarily on the risks of doing research with
5
Wiskerke, J. S. C. (1999) Farmers use of diversity case study - Europe - the Nether-
lands http://members.shaw.ca/oldwheat/Resources/FarmersuseofdiversityNL.pdf.
