Genetically Modified Organisms: The European Union vs. The United State

Genetically Modified Organisms: The European Union vs. The United States "By increasing the fertility of the land, it increases its abundance. The improvements of agriculture too introduce many sorts of vegetable foods, which, requiring less land and not more labor than corn, come cheaply to the market." -Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations Book I.XI.n The United States and the European Union are currently in dispute over the trade of genetically modified organisms. These altered plants produce more fruit per acre than traditional methods of farming while protecting the species from insects, environmental changes, and mutations. The output coupled with the benefits of environmental protection yield better products at a cheaper price for consumers. Adam Smith would favor the technologies of genetic modification because the fertility of the land increases, as well as its abundance. This growth results in more agricultural products on the market that require less land for cultivation, and no increase in labor. The consumer is then presented with a cheaper price because there eliminates the need to incur great labor costs and, at times, crop protection inputs such as pesticides. The European Union should allow these products to enter their market freely, to provide the maximum gain to EU consumers. BIOTECHNOLOGY What is a GMO? GMO stands for a ‘genetically modified organism’. A GMO is artificially developed by scientists to produce specific results such as sustain life through a drought or produce a greater quantity of fruit per plant (Monsanto Corporation:1999). This practice began centuries ago when plants and animals were selectively bred and microorganisms were us... ...ld dominate trade talks." Voice of Agriculture. http://www.fb.org Smith, Adam. 1981 [1776]. An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Indianapolis, Indiana: Liberty Press. Trans-Atlantic Business Dialouge. 1998. "Agri-Foods Biotechnology Group Progress Report and Summary of Findings." http://www.eabc.org/progress.htm The United States Department of Agriculture. 1998. "Biotechnology." http://www.useu.be/AGRI/biotech.html The United States Mission to the European Union. 1999. "EU Committee Accepts Two Labeling Proposals For Biotech Food." http://www.useu.be __________. 1999. "USTR Official Position on Biotechnology and Trade." http://www.useu.be __________. 1998. "Genetically Modified Organisms." http://www.useu.be Wambugu, Florence. 1999. "Why Africa needs agricultural biotech." Nature. Volume 400. http://www.nature.com Genetically Modified Organisms: The European Union vs. The United State Genetically Modified Organisms: The European Union vs. The United States "By increasing the fertility of the land, it increases its abundance. The improvements of agriculture too introduce many sorts of vegetable foods, which, requiring less land and not more labor than corn, come cheaply to the market." -Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations Book I.XI.n The United States and the European Union are currently in dispute over the trade of genetically modified organisms. These altered plants produce more fruit per acre than traditional methods of farming while protecting the species from insects, environmental changes, and mutations. The output coupled with the benefits of environmental protection yield better products at a cheaper price for consumers. Adam Smith would favor the technologies of genetic modification because the fertility of the land increases, as well as its abundance. This growth results in more agricultural products on the market that require less land for cultivation, and no increase in labor. The consumer is then presented with a cheaper price because there eliminates the need to incur great labor costs and, at times, crop protection inputs such as pesticides. The European Union should allow these products to enter their market freely, to provide the maximum gain to EU consumers. BIOTECHNOLOGY What is a GMO? GMO stands for a ‘genetically modified organism’. A GMO is artificially developed by scientists to produce specific results such as sustain life through a drought or produce a greater quantity of fruit per plant (Monsanto Corporation:1999). This practice began centuries ago when plants and animals were selectively bred and microorganisms were us... ...ld dominate trade talks." Voice of Agriculture. http://www.fb.org Smith, Adam. 1981 [1776]. An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Indianapolis, Indiana: Liberty Press. Trans-Atlantic Business Dialouge. 1998. "Agri-Foods Biotechnology Group Progress Report and Summary of Findings." http://www.eabc.org/progress.htm The United States Department of Agriculture. 1998. "Biotechnology." http://www.useu.be/AGRI/biotech.html The United States Mission to the European Union. 1999. "EU Committee Accepts Two Labeling Proposals For Biotech Food." http://www.useu.be __________. 1999. "USTR Official Position on Biotechnology and Trade." http://www.useu.be __________. 1998. "Genetically Modified Organisms." http://www.useu.be Wambugu, Florence. 1999. "Why Africa needs agricultural biotech." Nature. Volume 400. http://www.nature.com