Genetically Modified Foods: Recent Developments: Assessment

In the case of GM food, as with other controversies, contested interests and symbolic battles characterize scientific judgments and evaluations over claims of expertise. Multinational biotechnology corporations use their power to challenge the scientific authority of those who question their products. In turn, opponents of these corporations, of the industrialization of agriculture, of U.S. policy, and of globalization, have found a common rallying point with environmental and consumer advocacy groups. Differences in public perceptions, interest group dynamics, political systems, and industrial structure have driven European and U.S. agricultural biotechnology policy in opposing directions. In the United States, technology firms and large farmers have pushed for and obtained comparatively permissive regulatory standards; in the European Union, advocacy groups have urged highly precautionary regulation of GM food.