Regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms in the European Union

Abstract

To be successful, laws that regulate genetically modified organisms (GMOs) must help society decide rationally when to pause and when to proceed in adopting new biotechnological developments. In the context of European Union (EU) institutions and lawmaking procedures, this article examines European Community (EC) legal measures that govern the contained use, deliberate release, and labeling of GMOs. To illustrate Member State implementation of EC measures, the article focuses more briefly on regulation of GMOs in England. It highlights the controversy about GMOs in Member States and reveals some of the differences between U.S. and EU attitudes toward GMOs and genetically modified products.

Product attributes, consumer benefits and public approval of genetically modified foods

“…Despite the potential to bring important benefits to society, genetically modified (GM) food products have so far faced mixed regulatory and public acceptance in the US and elsewhere 2–4 . While GM crops entered the US food system without evoking significant public resistance, Europe has witnessed major opposition to the introduction of transgenic crops in any portion of its food chain 5,6 . However, there are indications that US consumers are beginning to express scepticism about the Food and Drug Administration's approval of bioengineered crops as is reflected in some recent surveys on public acceptance of GM foods 7,8 .…”

“…[2][3][4] While GM crops entered the US food system without evoking significant public resistance, Europe has witnessed major opposition to the introduction of transgenic crops in any portion of its food chain. 5,6 However, there are indications that US consumers are beginning to express scepticism about the Food and Drug Administration's approval of bioengineered crops as is reflected in some recent surveys on public acceptance of GM foods. 7,8 Similarly, International Food Information Council surveys 9 found that public acceptance of GM foods fell from 78% in 1997 to 59% in May 1999.…”

Consumer Acceptance of Food Biotechnology

“…While GM crops entered the U.S. food system without evoking significant public resistance, Europe has witnessed major opposition to the introduction of transgenic crops in any portion of its food chain (Grossman and Endres, 2000). Further, there are indications that U.S. consumers are also beginning to express skepticism about the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of bioengineered crops.…”

Consumer Trust in Information Sources

“…European consumers, by comparison, encountered GM foods in a different environment influenced by regulatory procedures, press coverage, and scientific literacy (Gaskell et al, 1999). Various countries on that continent responded to consumer fear by imposing strict regulations on all GM crops (Grossman & Endres, 2000), aiming to keep engineered products out of the food supply (Nelson, 2001).…”