Chapter 5: Issues that Have Arisen in the GM Crop and Food Debate

The controversy over GM crops has spanned the globe and lasted for more than two decades, with no sign of abating. It is arguably one of the great debates of our time, and a testing ground for the ability of science and scientists to overcome irrationalism and scaremongering. In Europe, there is no sign of the battle being won; indeed, so far it has not even been close. As a result, great damage has been done to the European plant biotechnology industry: Syngenta, Monsanto, Aventis (now part of Bayer), DuPont, Unilever and BASF have all closed or downsized plant biotechnology operations in Europe. Researchers have also been put at a great disadvantage. If a scientist in the USA wishes to undertake a field trial of a genetically modified crop, he/she can submit a one-page application online and receive approval the next day. In Europe, scientists have to negotiate a complicated and expensive regulatory process (Section 4.2) and then face a high probability of their field trial being vandalised. Not surprisingly, only a handful of field trials have been undertaken in Europe in recent years.