The possibility of international agreements concerning genetically modified organisms in the European Union

As genetically modified products come under greater production, tensions surrounding the potential benefits and harms of the technology have appeared in divergent policy between the European Union (EU) and certain member states. The purpose of this thesis is to consider whether some type of international law, also called an environmental regime, can be formed that centers on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which recognizes the rights of states, specifically EU member states, to enact bans or measures that limit the use of GMOs if there exists a potential human or environmental threat. This thesis examines the background and general issues surrounding GMOs, environmental regime theory and significant actors in regime formation, the history and current situation of GMOs in the EU, other actors influencing the present circumstances, and what environmental regime formation concerning GMOs might look like. It concludes that an agreement at the minilateral (regional) scale would best address the specific situation in the EU, which may provide a platform for future multinational agreements that consider other issues of GMOs