There is a scientific consensus, even in Europe, that the GMO foods and crops currently on the market
have brought no documented new risks either to human health or to the environment. Europe has
decided to stifle the use of this new technology, not because of the presence of risks, but because of the
absence so far of direct benefits to most Europeans. Farmers in Europe are few in number, and they are
highly productive even without GMOs. In Africa, by contrast, 60% of all citizens are still farmers and they
are not yet highly productive. For Africa, the choice to stifle new technology with European-style
regulations carries a much higher cost.