5. A scientific view of the current status of genetically modified crops, foods and feed in the European Union

The present chapter examines the current situation of genetically modified (GM) crops in Europe from a scientific point of view. First of all, it briefly presents techniques to introduce desired characteristics into crops, or remove adverse ones, including conventional, genetic engineering and gene-editing techniques. The definition of GM plants given in Directive 2001/18, although legal, is not a scientific definition because all techniques used to improve crop plants introduce heritable genetic modifications. That definition does not apply to plants improved by the recent gene-editing techniques in the European Union. An analysis of the presently commercialised GM plants in the EU indicates there is a de facto blockage of authorisation for cultivating GM plants. The difference in timing to approve GM crops between the EU and other countries from which GM varieties can be imported ('asynchronous approval') is causing serious difficulties to the still strong livestock sector, and it threatens to increase malnutrition in the economically more vulnerable population sector. A succinct analysis of the factors leading to the low level presence of unapproved GM crops indicates that these are easily singled out because transgenic events are easily detectable, even in trace amounts. This ease of detection is at the heart of the social debate and regulatory procedures surrounding the GM technology, including coexistence with non-GM crops. Finally, a brief analysis of the contributions of GM crops to the EU consumer and the environment is offered.