TRADE DISPUTES WITH THE EU: GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

 Defining GMO’s ◦ GMO crops are naturally occurring crops that have had their DNA altered through genetic engineering. ◦ The DNA of another organism’s molecule is injected in vitro into the host plants using recombinant DNA technology. ◦ The resulting gene is then able to be expressed in future plants.  Used extensively in agricultural production but also in other kingdoms

 Have rapidly been included in agriculture for more than a decade ◦ Most common crops:  Corn  Soybeans  Cotton  Rapeseed  The U.S. in 2004 produced 50% of corn, 85% soybeans, and 75% of all cotton from GM seed varieties ◦ Argentina, Brazil, and China also big producers

 Increased yield capabilities  Increased drought resistance  Increased pest resistance  Increased nutritional value  Improved flavors  Increased shelf life  Remove allergens  …even to create a variety of onions that will not induce tears!

 Research is limited on long term safety  Concern that they may hurt small farmers  Hurt less developed countries  Fear that GM foods could be toxic or carcinogenic  “Frankenfood” concern

 Exchange of capital, goods, and services across international territories or boundaries  Importance has risen in the last century  Life without international trade  Standard of living

 Strong opposition from the beginning  Food safety concerns  Cultural concerns  New laws constricting GM crops and food

 World Trade Organization  Objection to moratorium  Formal complaint by U.S., Canada, & Argentina  2006 ruling

 Genetic engineering idea has been around forever  Discovery of DNA and recombinant DNA have fueled ability to splice genes from one organism to another  Biotech companies are able to patent their intellectual property  1992 first crop approved for commercial production  1996 first crop grown for commercial production and GM crops were found to be “not inherently dangerous” by the USDA

 E.U. approved the use of GM crops in 1994  Consumers drove policy makers to pass legislation for more stringent labeling and safety regulations in 1997 ◦ Novel Food Regulations  Other E.U. member states have passed their own stricter laws against the use of GM crops and food

 Seed Manufacturers  Farmers ◦ European ◦ Rest of world  Consumers

 No GM crops  GM approved crops  “de facto moratorium”  GM approved crops

 Population growth  Demand for oil  Demand for food  Solution

 Current legislation has become more accepting of GM Crops & Food ◦ Hope that this trend will continue through increased research, increased input costs, and growing population  Patents for biotech companies ◦ Speculation that may allow some patents to run out or not be renewed for fear of monopoly ◦ Biotech companies developing technology protection systems  Terminator System

 Expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050  Current output capabilities would leave many starved  Few options for increasing yields beyond GM crops ◦ Deforestation  Some of the least developed places will have the greatest need ◦ Modern agriculture practices could potentially provide a stable standard of living

 Most research done has yielded favorable results for GM crops & food  More research done on GM Crops becoming ‘superweeds’ ◦ Breeding with native plants and polluting genetics of indigenous plants ◦ GM corn in U.S. has spread to Mexico  Pollen can travel tens of kilometers  Even with unfavorable research on GM and the environment, human needs will prevail over the environment’s

 GM acceptance  Government support  Production capabilities

 GM Crops and Food relatively new to the scene  Will see more use with further research, increased world population, and policy  WTO has ruled in favor of U.S. in trade dispute with E.U.  Human needs will prevail over environmental as proven throughout history