FOOD, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: THE ROLE AND POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE GENETIC ENGINEERING IN THE EUROPEAN AND MEXICAN AGRIFOOD SYSTEM.

With a growing population and an expanding economy, Mexico needs to leverage genetic engineering to meet the needs of national food security. The weakness of concrete mechanisms to control the release of modified genetic material into the environment and the possible adverse effects of transgenic food products contrasts, however, with the heavy biosafety devices developed in Europe, where, despite the positive approach to biotechnology, there is a precautionary approach. The paper will focus on an analysis of Mexican and European biosafety policies and will give a conclusion that draws together the weaknesses and shortfalls of both legal regimes. The goal of this study is to contribute to the evaluation of the impact of the genetic engineering on Mexican and European agrifood system and its implications for food safety.