Group of Advisers on the Ethical Aspects of Biotechnology publishes opinion on food produced by modern biotechnology
The Commission-appointed Group of Advisers on the Ethical Aspects of Biotechnology has published its opinion on food produced by modern biotechnological methods. The advances in scientific research during the second half of this century have paved the way for the development of modern biotechnology, with its large range of applications in fields in which the EU has competence - from agriculture to industry, from the environment to health. The Commission is anxious that there should be a debate on the human and social impact of the new technologies as they develop. The objective of this approach is to find a way of reconciling technological progress with ethical imperatives. The establishment of the Group of Advisers on the Ethical Aspects of Biotechnology is a direct response to this concern. The Group delivers opinions which help guide the Community in its legislative and other activities. In reaching its opinion, the Group considered the fact that man has sought to improve his diet by altering plant varieties or animal species through selection or cross breeding of species. These alterations can now be made by using modern biotechnology. These techniques consist in integrating genetic material in order to give a food product new characteristics. For example, it can be given a different taste or texture, changes can be made to the ripening characteristics of a fruit or vegetable, a plant can be made more resistant to disease or harsh weather conditions, etc. These new products widen the range of produce available to the consumer while safeguards need to be put in place to protect the consumer's right to information and ensure openness. In accordance with the terms of reference given by the Commission, the Group took it as read that the products' safety for both humans and the environment had been scientifically assessed and assured. The Group concentrated on the question of consumer protection, particularly the right to information and openness, to enable the consumer to make free and well informed choices concerning the products on offer. Current Community policy is based on the principle of functional labelling (information on the composition of the product). The Group had to consider whether the appearance on the market of these "novel foods derived from modern biotechnology" called for a special label stating how the food was produced (e.g. "produced using modern biotechnological methods"). Before arriving at its final conclusions, the Group felt that, in addition to the many discussions with scientists, it had to consult the various interested parties, i.e. the food industry, consumers, religious and philosophical groups and the elected representatives in the European Parliament. These meetings, which proved to be extremely fruitful, made for more detailed and clearer discussions. The Group did not propose in its opinion that labels should always be required to state how the product was produced. However, it does feel that, where significant changes have been made to a product, its label should specify not only the nature of the change made but also the process used, in addition to the usual "functional" information. The facts given to the consumer should be informative, clear, easily understandable and honest. The Group also felt that other means of providing information should be used, such as databases, hot lines etc., so that more details are available to those consumers who want them, enabling them to make a well-informed choice. This will also help where there are cultural or religious considerations to be taken into account. Lastly, the Group proposed that the Commission promote information for the citizens of Europe, particularly through Community programmes.