But the scientific community isn't so assured, he said. Margulis said that while some genetically engineered foods are allowed for distribution in the European Union, they are not allowed to be grown as crops anywhere in Europe. Many Europeans, he said, view the environmental risk from genetic engineering of crops as akin to chemical pollution. Americans are more trusting of their regulatory system. Dr. Peter Welters, chief executive officer of an agricultural biotechnology company called Phytowelt, thinks the lack of debate over agricultural biotechnology in the United States is simply the result of ignorance.
People are very informed about it.
Welters said he finds the U.S. biotech industry's opposition to labeling curious and perhaps counter-productive. Welters noted that the Germans do label genetically engineered foods, and consumers don't appear too concerned.