Currently, the major application of genetic engineering to agriculture is in transgenic crops. A wide variety of genetically engineered crop plants are now under development, and some crops have reached the marketplace. Although their development has not progressed as far, livestock and fish are also being genetically engineered. Genetically modified organisms are also used to produce cheeses and oil. But this is just the beginning.
Many scientists actually expect that, in a few years, natural foods are likely to disappear.
Under the present international regulations, most genetically modified foods are not required to be labelled. A recent survey found that 85-90 per cent of US consumers want clear labelling of all genetically engineered foods, according to the same source. In Egypt, however, officials at the ministries of health and agriculture assure they have been taking a cautious attitude towards the recent wave of genetically modified products. Currently, most developing countries do not have guidelines or regulations for biotechnology products, which may turn them into a potential testing ground for materials deemed too risky to test in a developed country. The NBC brings together a number of researchers in agriculture, health, environment, industry, education, and policy, and is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Youssef Wali.