Biotech Food Tears Rifts in Europe

Europe’s resistance to genetically modified foods places it at odds with the WTO, the US, Canada and Argentina, all of which push for greater acceptance of the products. No evidence suggests that such crops are dangerous, but the European public remains suspicious. Farmers argue that it’s ludicrous to grow crops that consumers detest. The issue has divided nations such as Greece, where the head of one farmers union notes, “The environment minister who gives in and allows GMO's into this country will never be minister again.” The biotech industry, with the support of the WTO, insists that genetically modified foods are no different than regular foods. Yet opponents want to prevent irreversible environmental harm, fearing once their guard is down, that genetically modified crops could contaminate farmland across Europe. – YaleGlobal