(Part 3 of 6)

Q10: What kind of a GM foods are on the market internationally

All GM crops available on the international market today have been designed using one of three basic trails: resistance to insects damage; resistance to viral infections; and tolerance toward certain herbicides. All the genes used to modify crops are derived from microorganisms.

Q11: What happens when GM foods are traded internationally?

No specific international regulatory systems are currently in place. However, special international organizations are involved in developing protocols for GMOs.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) is the joint FAO/WHO body responsible for compiling the standards, codes of practice, guidelines and recommendations that constitute the Codez Alimentarius: the international food code. Codex is developing principles for human health risk analysis of GM foods. The premise of these principles dictates a premarket assessment, performed on a case-by-case basis and including an evaluation of both direct effects (from the inserted gene). The principles are at an advanced stage of development and are expected to be adopted in July. Codex principles do not have a binding effect on national legislation, but are referred to specifically in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement of thee World Trade Organization (SPS Agreement), and can be used as a reference in case trade disputes.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB), an environmental treaty legally binding for its parties, regulates transboundary movements of living modifies organisms (LMOs) GM foods are within the scope of the protocol only if they contain LMOs that are capable of transferring or replicating genetic material. The cornerstone of the CPB is a requirement that exporters seek consent from importers before the first shipment of LMOs intended for release of the environment. The protocol will enter into force 90 days after the 50th century has ratified it, which may be in early 2003 in view of the accelerated depositions registered since June 2002.

Q12: Have GM products on the International market passed a risk assessment?

The GM products that are currently on the international market have all passed risk assessments conducted by national authorities. These different assessments in general follow the same basic principles, including an assessment of environmental and human health risk. These assessments are through, they have not indicated any risk to human health.

Q13: Why has there been concern about GM foods among some politicians, public interest groups and consumers, especially in Europe?

Since the first introduction on the market in the mid-1990s of a major GM food (herbicide-resistant soybeans), there has been increasing concern about such food among politicians, activists and consumers, especially in Europe. Several factors are involved.

In the late 1980s - early 1990s, the results of decades of molecular research reached the public domain. Until that time, consumers were generally not very aware of the potential of this research. In the case of food, consumers started to wonder about safety because they perceived that modern biotechnology is leading to the creation of new species.

Consumers frequently ask, "what is in it for me?" Where medicines are concerned, many consumers more readily accept biotechnology as beneficial for their health (e.g. medicines with improved treatment potential). In the case of the first GM foods introduced onto the European market, the products were of no apparent direct benefit to consumers (not cheaper, no increased shelf-life, no better taste). the potential for GM seeds to result in bigger yields per cultivated area should lead to lower prices. However, public attention has focused on the risk side of the risk benefit equation.

Consumers confidence in the safety of food supplies in Europe has decreased significantly as a result of a number of food scares that took place in the second half of the 1990s that are unrelated to GM foods. This has also had an impact on discussions about the acceptability of GM foods. Consumers have questioned the validity of risk assessment, both with regard to consumer health and environmental risks, focusing in particular on long-term effects. Other topics or debate by consumer organizations have included allergenicity and antimicrobial resistance. Consumer concerns have triggered a discussion on the desirability of labelling GM foods, allowing an informed choice. At the same time, it has proved difficult to detect traces of GMOs in foods: this means that very low concentrations often cannot be detected..

Q14: How has this concern affected the marketing of GM foods in the European Union?

The public concerns about GM food and GMOs in general have had a significant impact on the marketing of GM products in the European Union (EU). In facts, they have resulted in the so-called moratorium on approval of GM products to be placed on the market. Marketing of GM foods and GMO in general are the subject of extensive legislation. Community legislation has been in place since the early 1990s.

The procedure for approval of the release of GMOs into the environment is rather complex and basically requires agreement between the Member States and European Commission. Between 1991 and 1998, the marketing of 18 GMOs was authorized in the EU by a commission decision.

As of October 1998, no further authorizations have been granted and there are currently 12 applications pending. Some Member States have invoked a safeguard clause to temporarily ban the playing on the market in their country of GM maize and oilseed rape products. There are currently nine ongoing cases. Eight of these have been examined by the Scientific Committee on Plants, which in all cases deemed that the information submitted by Member States did not justify their bans.