Genetically modified crops have been controversial since they were first engineered and put on… Genetically modified crops have been controversial since they were first engineered and put on the market. Proponents argue that using modified seeds results in higher yields; opponents cite potential long-term health risks, loss of biodiversity and unavoidable cross-contamination between modified and nonmodified crops as reasons to treat these products with extreme caution.

In the United States, the overwhelming majority of foods are at least partially composed of genetically modified organisms. Bovine growth hormones, a pending strand of “golden rice” with a higher-than-normal vitamin A content, and also seeds manufactured by major GMO producer Monsanto which are resistant to Monsanto herbicides are all examples of genetic engineering. Consumers have no real way to determine the status of the food in their grocery carts, because there are no labeling requirements in this country. This is largely because the FDA has approved many species of GMOs.

Europe, on the contrary, has proven to be more concerned about the potential risks of genetic engineering. Many countries within the EU require clear labeling of GMO ingredients, do not allow their farmers to grow modified crops and/or restrict the importation of engineered foods.

Because of this, the United States, Canada and Argentina filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization, alleging that several EU member states were effectively banning GMOs, and that that was in violation of international trade rules.

The WTO’s ruling, which is still preliminary, is being interpreted differently by the U.S. and the EU. American officials concluded that the EU did have an effective ban, and EU officials believe that there is clear evidence that there is no current moratorium.

This should never have gotten to the WTO. Countries in Europe have the right to keep products they find questionable out of their borders. As sovereign nations, they have an obligation to protect their citizens. If European researchers believe GMOs to be a threat, then so be it. There should be no mention of economics or international trade law in a question of health.

America and friends are arguing from the premise that GMO and non-GMO crops are equals – a premise which the EU does not share. That the WTO did not investigate the questionable safety of genetically engineered crops before coming to its conclusions is an indication that the organization does not understand, or does not care to understand, this difference of opinion.

Allowing the deep-pocketed companies that manufacture GMOs to control the world’s agriculture and forcing countries to expand their diet to include GMOs is flat-out wrong. The WTO needs to back away from the issue and realize that some circumstances fall outside the mandates of free trade. Countries have a right to choose what they consume.