Introduction: The International Politics of Genetically Modified Food

Abstract

Genetic engineering emerged in the 1960s as a revolutionary innovation in biotechnology that some observers expected radically to transform industry and agriculture. As soon as the first genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were field-tested during the 1980s and commercialised in the 1990s, however, genetic engineering became engulfed in a global controversy. Its use in food production, in particular, has provoked highly polarised reactions among producers, consumers, scientists and environmentalists worldwide. While some view it as an essentially beneficial technology that can increase agricultural productivity and help in the fight against malnutrition and poverty, others see it as potentially harmful to humans and the environment. Advocates of the technology urge governments and international organisations to promote its development and commercial adoption by reducing regulatory barriers, while critics demand precautionary regulation to safeguard against potential future harm. Profound uncertainty surrounds the debate about the benefits and risks of genetic engineering, making it even harder to find common ground in this debate.