Moratorium on GMOs ends

2000/10/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Genetika
• Dietetika/Elikagaiak

The unofficial moratorium established by the European Commission against genetically modified products could be about to end. The Commission considers it time to recognize that GMOs are not dangerous to health. However, before granting authorizations for the production of GMOs, it intends to implement mechanisms that ensure a thorough identification and exhaustive monitoring of these products. The decision may take effect at the end of the year. The European Commission proposal has received strong criticism from Greenpeace. According to them, it has been proposed for the benefit of multinational GM control systems and not consumers. The Irish MEP has also stated that the Commission's intention is to insult European consumers. And it's not the only one. Several of the countries that make up the European Parliament oppose the abolition of the moratorium, including France, which will preside over the next six months. GMOs will therefore bring intense debate to the European Parliament.

The European Commissioner for the Protection of Health and Consumers believes that the proposal ensures that Europe Biotechnology will not stop in the most important scientific field and that, at the same time, they want to protect public health, the environment and biodiversity. To this end, he has argued that research being conducted worldwide has concluded that GMOs are not dangerous to health. It indicates that the GM identification system is completely scientific and rigorous and that consumers will receive all the information about what they are buying. At the same time, the European Commission fears that transgenic-producing companies will win a trial against the ban. So, without time to complete any strict regulations, GMOs should be marketed. The proposal would therefore be prevention. Nor should we forget the commercial and scientific competition with the United States.

Since 1992 about 18 transgenic products (crops, vaccines, flowers, etc.) were authorized for use in Europe. Another 14 are pending approval, although since 1998 none have obtained authorization. If the Commission's proposal is accepted, the market would open for all of them.