Agricultural biotechnology is the application of modern biotechnology techniques, particularly recombinant DNA (rDNA) gene splicing, for developing new varieties of food crops and animals with [Page 13]useful genetic traits. In the mid-1990s, the introduction of the first genetically modified (GM) food crops launched a major global controversy that continues today. In the United States, many farmers grow GM crops, and an estimated 75% of the processed food products contain ingredients from GM crops. In Europe, however, there is strong public opposition to GM foods and crops based on concerns about safety, environmental impacts, the lack of benefits, and moral and ethical issues. In addition, the European Union (EU) has adopted much stricter regulations on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and relatively few have been approved.

Numerous studies ...