(MSNBC) Americans have a tough row to hoe persuading Europeans to buy our genetically altered foods. Europe's resistance not only has cut into U.S. food exports, but created a backlash reducing the prospect for such foods in America. Washington has protested the EU’s restrictions on our exports and last week imposed $117 million in retaliatory tariffs on imports of fine foods such as French pate, Danish hams and German chocolates. The Europeans are unmoved.

French President Jacques Chirac warned that Europe would remain skeptical until “we have scientific proof that [genetically altered] products are not harmful to health.”
 
Despite the retaliation, both Washington and U.S. industry have begun to listen to the Europeans. The Agriculture Department just announced its first long-term study of genetically altered foods and the environment. “With all that biotechnology has to offer,” Secretary Dan Glickman said, “it is nothing if it’s not accepted by consumers.”