Abstract

Reference: French Academie des sciences 2002
Title: Les plantes genetiquement modifiees
Authors: Institut de France, Academie des sciences 
Publisher: Lavoisier, France
Publication details: Rapport sur la science et la technologie No.13. December 2002. 168p.
Note: Full report available in French.  Full Report contains Summary, Recommendations and Introduction in English.

In 2001, transgenic crops, mainly in America, occupied 50 million hectares.  Transgenic varieties have been rejected in Europe, although there has never been a health problem regarding consumers or damage to the environment.  The precise understanding of genomes and gene function makes it possible to glimpse at the considerable possibilities for crop improvement by various methods, among which transgenesis will become increasingly important.  The French position, characterized by an alarming absence of research on the application of plant transformation, leaves this field of investigation completely open to others.  Therefore, a relative depreciation of our cultivated varieties may be feared for the long term, which will be detrimental to our agricultural economy.

The risks associated with transgenic plants are currently under analysis.  This analysis shows that all the criticisms against GMOs can be set aside based for the most part on strictly scientific criteria.  Furthermore, any generalization on the potential risks linked to GMOs is impossible since scientific rigor can only proceed from a case by case analysis.

Europe has just adopted one of the most strict regulations concerning the dissemination and the commercialization of transgenic plants, especially in the areas of biosafety, labeling and traceability.  A hiatus in the writing of regulatory measures will be necessary to assess existing regulations.  It will be necessary to reform measures which have not functioned correctly.  Finally, with the implementation of new regulations, there will be no objective reason to continue the moratorium on market approval authorizations of GMOs.  If this situation continues, the imminent risk is the eradication of GMOs from the European soil and the banishment of all commercial exchanges of seeds and agricultural material with countries where GMO crops are cultivated.

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