Worldwide, the production and consumption of foods derived from genetically modified crops (GM crops) is rising rapidly. However, in Europe only 58.000 hectares are planted with one GM crop (insect-protected maize in Spain).
The public debate in Europe demonstrates that rigorous safety assessment is necessary but not sufficient for gaining societal acceptance of agricultural biotechnology. Many natural scientists agree that currently available GM crops are as safe as conventional food crops. Some critics on the other hand point to possible adverse unintended effects; others hold more fundamental concerns about mankind messing with hereditary material. The challenge is to identify prerequisites for introducing products of agricultural biotechnology in a manner that is broadly accepted in societies with wide ranging viewpoints.
To address this challenge, the European Commission-sponsored research consortium ENTRANSFOOD brought together representatives from academia, regulatory agencies, food manufacturers, retailers and consumer groups from across Europe. The consortium's main conclusions are discussed below.
Safety assessment
The consortium developed a systematic approach to tailoring the safety assessment of foods derived from GM crops to the specific characteristics of the modified crop and the introduced trait. It also concluded that uncertainties relating to GM foods are similar to the questions which remain with regard to health impact of other plant-derived foods. New molecular tools will help scientists better understand potential health impacts of all foods we consume.
Gene transfer
ENTRANSFOOD recommended that assessments of gene transfer should compare the risk of transfer of modified genes from GM crops to microbes or human cells to the risk of a similar event occurring in nature. Gene transfer between organisms is common in nature and has been a driving force in evolution. There is no inherent risk in the transfer of DNA between organisms, since DNA is not toxic. The risk assessment should therefore focus on two factors: first, on the function of the transferred DNA in the recipient cell; and secondly on whether the recipient cell may have acquired the same gene from a source other than the GM crop.
Regulatory and societal aspects
Consumer trust is key and social scientists in the consortium highlighted that process-based labelling of all foods containing GM crops is one prerequisite to allay the fears of EU citizens. However, the consortium also identified difficulties in the implementation of the EU's labelling requirements. For example, one challenge will be achieving international agreement on standards for the labelling and traceability of foods originating from or containing GM crops, as food is transferred between businesses and countries.
Summary
In conclusion, the balanced outcomes from ENTRANSFOOD reiterated the merit of platforms for deliberations, combining a range of diverse perspectives on new food technologies. The project also helped to prioritize a range of questions fundamental to comparing the merits and draw-backs of alternative food production methods.
SAFEFOODS, the successor project of ENTRANSFOOD, had its first meeting in May 2004 and aims to address these larger issues in order to facilitate the comparative evaluation of alternative ways of agro-food production. Placing the GM crop debate in the broader context of alternative ways for food production is required so that individuals and societies to make more informed choices.
Reference
- Kuiper, H. A., Kleter, G. A., Konig, A., Hammes, W. P., Knudsen, I. (Eds.). 2004. Safety Assessment, Detection and Traceability, and Societal Aspects of Genetically Modified Foods. European Network on Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Food Crops (ENTRANSFOOD). Food and Chemical Toxicology 42(7, special issue): 1043-1202.
More information
FOOD TODAY 10/2004
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