Genetically modified plants - decade of commercial cultivation

2005 marks the beginning of the 10th consecutive year of commercial cultivation of genetically modified plants all around the world. The first genetically modified variety of crops appeared on market during 1995 and from that global area of biotech crops increased to 81 mil hectares in 2004. Genetically modified plant tolerant to herbicides, resistant to insects, improved quality have been developed. The use of genetically modified organisms, their release into environment, cultivation, utilization as food and feed is regulated in the EU by set of directives: 90/220, 2001/18, 2002/53, 1830/2003. In former Yugoslavia the low about genetically modified organisms was adopted in May 2001. That law consists of common regulation and it is in accordance with EU regulation. Detection of genetic modification in seed and food could be done by PCR or ELISA methods.