Gm Food Labeling Essay Example
1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND LEADING TO DEVELOPMENT
1.1 Introduction
On July 2, 2003, official agreements were finally made by the European Parliament with regards to new regulations on genetically modified food(GM). Consumer organizations and green groups are content with these results, as the voices of consumers are being heard over corporate interests. The United States accounts for two-thirds of bioengineered crops produced globally. Other major suppliers include Argentina, Canada, and China. More than twenty percent of the global crop areas of soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola acres are now biotech varieties. On top of this, biotech ingredients and biotech processes are used in producing a wide selection of food and beverage products, such as meat, poultry, cheese, milk, and beer. The problem with this decision is that it would make selling in the European Union even harder than it already has been, as well as the fact that this move may widen the transatlantic gap, thus effecting trade relations between the European Union and the United States.
1.2 What exactly is a GM?
These questions and answers have been prepared by WHO in response to questions and concerns by a number of WHO Member State Governments with regard to the nature and safety of genetically modified food.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The technology is often called "modern biotechnology" or "gene technology", sometimes also "recombinant DNA technology" or "genetic engineering". It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, also between non-related species.
1.3 History
In 1996, the United States was the first nation to export genetically modified food in Europe. It was tomato puree from California and it was voluntarily labeled as genetically engineered. The product was a big hit with consumers in Britain because it
1.1 Introduction
On July 2, 2003, official agreements were finally made by the European Parliament with regards to new regulations on genetically modified food(GM). Consumer organizations and green groups are content with these results, as the voices of consumers are being heard over corporate interests. The United States accounts for two-thirds of bioengineered crops produced globally. Other major suppliers include Argentina, Canada, and China. More than twenty percent of the global crop areas of soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola acres are now biotech varieties. On top of this, biotech ingredients and biotech processes are used in producing a wide selection of food and beverage products, such as meat, poultry, cheese, milk, and beer. The problem with this decision is that it would make selling in the European Union even harder than it already has been, as well as the fact that this move may widen the transatlantic gap, thus effecting trade relations between the European Union and the United States.
1.2 What exactly is a GM?
These questions and answers have been prepared by WHO in response to questions and concerns by a number of WHO Member State Governments with regard to the nature and safety of genetically modified food.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. The technology is often called "modern biotechnology" or "gene technology", sometimes also "recombinant DNA technology" or "genetic engineering". It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, also between non-related species.
1.3 History
In 1996, the United States was the first nation to export genetically modified food in Europe. It was tomato puree from California and it was voluntarily labeled as genetically engineered. The product was a big hit with consumers in Britain because it