Testing of Genetically Modified Organisms

Products and services >> Food Identification

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are subject of an intense debate nowadays. Transgenic crops are grown commercially or in field trials in over 40 countries and on 6 continents. In 2000, about 442,000 km were planted with transgenic crops, the principal ones being herbicide- and insecticide-resistant soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola. Four countries represent 99% of total GM surface: United States (68%), Argentina (22%), Canada (6%) and China (3%). It is estimated that 70% of products on US grocery shelves include GMO ingredients.

In Europe, a series of unrelated food crises during the 1990s (e.g. the BSE (or 'mad cow' disease) outbreaks and foot and mouth disease) have created consumer apprehension about food safety in general, and eroded the public trust in government oversight of the food industry. This has further fueled widespread public concern about GMOs, in terms of environmental protection (in particular biodiversity), health and safety of consumers and the right to make an informed choice.

From this the market of DNA-based GMO testing, which is well established in the US and present in Europe, represents and will represent an important opportunity for business in the field of the DNA tracing technologies.

GENTRAS has set up a fast and reliable GMO testing service offered to food producers, processors, and retailers.