Europe’s Increasing Acceptance of Genetically Modified Food with Revisions on One of Europe’s Strictest Legislations

Genetic Engineering Technology Replacing Traditional Breeding Methods

Traditional modification of plants and animals, including selective breeding and crossbreeding plants, was used before gene editing and modifying technologies were invented. Crossbreeding aims to produce new varieties with desirable traits to reduce cost and increase yield for farmers by developing crops more resistant to climate change and diseases. They are also bred to entice consumers more by creating products with more appealing shapes, sizes, colors, tastes, and nutritional value. However, traditional breeding methods are random and often produce unwanted varieties, requiring thousands of genes to be rearranged until the desired ones are produced. This blind trial and error method lacks precision and is time-consuming as it would take an average of 10 to 15 years to create a plant variety through traditional breeding. 

Pink Pineapple from the United States

Source: MyRecipes

Genetic modification is an alternative method to traditional breeding involving introducing genes from a foreign species to a plant’s DNA. In the 90’s, a wave of genetically modified organism (GMO) products hit the market. Although this sparked debates on the ramifications of GMOs on humans and the environment, genetic modification technology has since been adopted globally, and plants created with genetic modification tools are increasing in volume and variety. GMOs range from pink pineapples from the United States (US), non-browning apples from Canada, and virus-resistant papayas from Hawaii.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), over 92% of corn, 96% of cotton, and 94% of soybeans planted in the US in 2020 were genetically modified to increase herbicide tolerance and insect resistance. However, in Europe, GMOs are a source of controversies and heated debates. Europe is an outlier and has been opposing GMOs, currently not employing any genetic engineering on plant and animal production.

Shifting Perception on Genetically Engineered Crops in Europe

Europe possesses one of the strictest laws and regulations on agricultural products derived from any form of genetic engineering. In 2001, the European Union (EU) established a legal framework for GMO cultivation in Europe. However, due to the complex and strict authorization processes, it was nearly impossible to get GMO crop cultivation approved. According to the European Parliament, only one GMO has been approved for cultivation in the EU – corn. Therefore, in the period between 1998 to 2018, the EU only cultivated 0.07% of the total global cultivation of genetically modified crops. 

Restrictions on Genetically Engineered Crops 

Source: BBC

However, the development of gene editing technology, also known as new genomic techniques (NGTs), was increasing anticipation that genetically engineered crops developed via NGTs may enter the European market. NGTs, with CRISPR leading this technology, include more precise removal and addition of DNA strands. NGTs are less intrusive than genetic modification as it does not involve introducing DNA strands from foreign species and is indistinguishable from natural breeding. Therefore, it came as a shock when the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in 2018 that crops created by NGTs fall under the same category as GMOs and thus must be subjected to the same stringent 2001 law for GMOs.

The decision made by the EU’s highest court to group NGTs with GMOs was criticized by the scientific field for being a categorical ban that lacked scientific reasoning and would only set Europe further back behind other countries. The scientific field has long been an advocate for GMOs. Key politicians and legislators who were previously not in favor of GMOs are changing their minds due to food shortages brought about by record-hitting droughts diminishing Europe’s crop yields and reduced food exports from the ongoing war in Ukraine. Since the 2018 ruling, the European Council and EU agricultural ministers have been asking and urging the European Commission to reevaluate.

On July 5, the European Commission proposed a legislation reform to relax rules on New Genetic Techniques. Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans expressed that the relaxation of NGT legislation is needed to ensure the sustainability and preservation of the planet. The new proposal will allow certain NGT plants to be exempted from GMO legislation, allowing for a faster track approval process. Anti-GMO activists, Green Party members, and environmentalists expressed disdain for the Commission’s proposal, arguing that the decision puts the interest of huge agricultural and biotech companies first before the safety of humans and the environment.

Skepticism and caution are needed with technological breakthroughs to ensure no harm or irreparable damages are made. However, numerous studies have been published supporting genetic engineering in plants and crops. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported findings that GMO food poses no higher risks than non-GMO food. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a scientific opinion concluding that no new human or environmental risks are associated with NGTs.

The European Commission’s decision marks a step toward sustainable food production. However, since approval from EU member states and the European Parliament is needed, the process will be long and may take years for new technologies and varieties to enter the European market . Therefore, the EU’s decision to essentially ban GMOs has put them at a disadvantage and has set them back in the fight against climate change.