New life for 'Frankenfoods?'

Europeans' skepticism toward genetically modified crops and food products is well documented.

However, The International Herald Tribune reports rising food prices worldwide have European Union officials rethinking their position on GMOs:

"Climate change and increasing concern about fresh water supplies are helping to fuel interest in new seed varieties likely to be more resistant to drought and able to produce reasonable yields with significantly less water. GM technology still has many opponents, who fear that genetically modified crops can create health problems for animals and humans, wreak havoc on the environment, and give far-reaching control over the world's food to a few corporate masters."

The article goes on to report the average European's view of GMOs hasn't changed -- well, actually it has: for the worse.

"In a Eurobarometer opinion poll in March, ... 58 percent were apprehensive about the use of such crop technology and just 21 percent were in favor, down from 26 percent in a 2006 Eurobarometer survey on biotechnology."

GMOs haven't been much of factor in fresh produce yet. Few remember the Flavr Savr tomato and its ill-fated short run on U.S. grocers' shelves.

Americans eat GM food products daily (often corn or soy in processed foods), most without knowing it.

Marketed correctly, GMO seeds and foods hold potential to alleviate hunger and ensure food security.

GMO marketers should stand by their products, spelling out the benefits and dispelling misconceptions.

I don't envy them having to educate a public that is largely ignorant concerning food science and safety in a 24-hour media environment where scare stories that are short on facts receive all too much attention.