Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been welcomed by US agriculture and by a number of other countries (notably Canada and Argentina). Transgenic crops were virtually unkn own before 1996 but have experienced breathtaking adoption rates. For example, in 1999 more than 50 percent of the soybean crop grown in the United States is genetically modified (at least -+0 percent of U.S. com and 50 per cent of U.S. cotton are also transgenic). For the next crop yea r, it is estimated that 100 percent of the soybeans grown in Argentina will be herbicide resistant. But GMOs have struck a different cord in Eu rope, where they have met with numerous obstacles from consumers, businesses, policy makers and regulators.