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Kuiper questions European fears about genetically modified crops

Posted on: 10/22/2007

On October 16, 2007 Chairman of the Scientific Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Dr. Harry Kuiper talked about genetically modified crops in Europe: regulation, risk assessment and public attitude. Director of the Mario Einaudi Center Nic van de Walle introduced Dr. Kuiper as a speaker in the Center’s Foreign Policy Distinguished Speaker Series.

The debate surrounding genetically modified food crops has raised fundamental questions regarding its uses throughout the world. Dr. Harry Kuiper placed these fundamental questions within the EU context. He explained how the worldwide area of genetically modified crops had experienced rapid growth over the past decade to nearly 100 million hectares planted in 2006.

Dr. Kuiper explained the benefits genetically modified crops provide, including improved disease and pest resistance, as well as increased tolerance to herbicides. Despite these benefits, however, there is still “a broad public concern about the safety of the European food supply.” He added that there is low public trust in how food crises were handled, as well as in the regulatory system in place in Europe. Dr. Kuiper outlined the EU regulatory framework in place for genetically modified organisms. It includes an environmental risk assessment methodology to evaluate the possible effects of introducing genetically modified organisms into the environment; and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to conduct risk assessment using scientific opinions, as well as to provide responses to questions from the European Commission and from the member states of the EU.

Dr. Kuiper explained some of the difficulties in conducting risk assessment studies with genetically modified crops and identified the fundamental pillar for such an assessment. However, he stated, “very little is known about the potential long term effects of any foods including genetically modified crops.” Kuiper mentioned also other confounding factors, including the wide genetic variety in the human population, variations in dietary habits, and the changes in food compositions over time. He concluded that despite the addition of the two legal bases, “it appeared to have done little to allay European public’s fear of genetically modified crops.” Kuiper stated two reasons why genetically modified crops are still feared across Europe. First, the moratorium worked to reinforce doubts about genetically modified crops: “Why would there be a moratorium if there were no problems?” Second, there is also a stigma attached to genetically modified foods that has been legitimated by the years of controversy surrounding the development and implementation of genetically modified foods.


Kuiper concluded with recommendations to potentially help ease European fears about genetically modified crops. Despite low levels of acceptance of genetically modified crops, “these negative opinions have not colored people’s opinions about other developments in biotechnology and nanotechnology.” He added that Europeans will become more accepting of genetically modified crops once they are seen to have specific consumer benefits. Kuiper believes that the regulatory system has placed an overemphasis on food safety. He stressed the need for “a harmonization of different risk assessment frameworks,” in which risk assessment is separated from risk management and comparisons between sectors in food products are allowed.

Dr. Kuiper’s talk was co-sponsored by the Institute for European Studies and the U.S. Delegation of the European Commission as part of the EU Speaker Series.

Contact Information
Heike Michelsen
Einaudi Center
255 8926
hm75@cornell.edu

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