The Long and Winding Road from Asilomar to Brussels: Science, Politics and the Public in Biotechnology Regulation

摘要

To critical consumers living in the European Union (EU), 18 April 2004 was a decisive date. New EU regulations became operational. Together with previous laws, they established the most restrictive regulatory regime in the world for so-called 'green' biotechnology. This legal framework, however, did not ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from the common market, but instead, allowed for the development of biotechnology under strict political control. Major objectives include the protection of consumer interests and the environment. Genetically modified foodstuffs have to undergo scientific risk assessment by the newly established European Food Safety Authority (EFSA); in addition, consumer interests can be included in the market authorization procedure. Also introduced were rigorous labelling requirements for GM food, tied to a monitoring system in order to enable traceability of GMOs 'from farm to fork'.