Clinton Administration officials have repeatedly assured consumers that all of the genetically engineered crops that have been approved in the United States are safe for people to eat. And, indeed, there is no compelling scientific evidence that shows the foods are unsafe. But the crops are so new that there is not enough evidence to prove the foods' safety to a minority of scientists who say further studies need to be done. He and Federal trade officials have spent the summer pressing European leaders and agricultural ministers to reconsider what is essentially the European Union's moratorium on new types of gene-altered crops. They have threatened some countries with intercession by the World Trade Organization, arguing that restrictions on these foods run counter to the current science supporting their safety.
Genetic engineering is a process in which scientists splice one organism's genes into another.
For example, scientists created the pesticide-producing corn by inserting a gene from a bacterium. Most of the corn and soybeans have been altered to either produce their own pesticides or to be resistant to herbicides. The biotechnology companies say that the food companies are caving in to pressure from environmental advocates who have written letters saying that consumers do not want these products. Still, farmers and trade officials point to new problems. The corn flour is made into tortillas, the Mexican staple.