Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
procedure and for extended labeling as a tool for consumers to make
informed choices.
The safety assessment of GM crops and derived foods is conducted
on a case-by-case basis and can be tailored to all crop-trait concepts,
including future GM crops with more complex traits. If differences
between the GM crop or derived food and its traditional counterpart
are identified, these are examined with respect to possible impacts on
human and animal health and the environment. As a result, a relative
statement is made on whether the GM crop is as safe as the conventional
comparator that is generally accepted as safe.
GM crops are therefore better characterized than conventionally
bred crops, including knowledge on the site and nature of the genetic
modification. It may be suggested that both GM crops and convention-
ally bred crops be treated the same in safety assessment, bearing in mind
that safety assessments are not required for non-GM crops.
The public debate that was started with the arrival of the first GMO in
Europe was mainly caused by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
with explicit interest in discussing the issues associated with the emerging
biosciences. They demanded public participation in the decisions about
regulation and scientific assessment, and supported beliefs that there is
potential for negative impact and uncertainty associated with unintended
human health effects that are hidden by producers or regulators to serve
a vested interest.
It was therefore not that much a surprise when the results of the
Eurobarometer surveys revealed that there is a lack of public confidence
in GM food. Yet recent polls have also shown that in practice, consumers
frequently behave different from the way they say they would do and
that they are in general not careful to avoid GM products offered for
sale.
The European Commission and its scientific body EFSA have
reacted to the criticism with amendments of legislation and revisions of
guidance documents for safety assessment.
However, the reported poor acceptance of GM food in many of
the EU member-states has also caused internal disagreement among
