This past fall, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that the European Union's restrictions on imported genetically-enhanced seeds and food products violated WTO rules. The decision, international lawyer Lawrence Kogan argues, is a strong signal that governments must base trade impairing regulations on sound science, rather than mere political judgement. It also represents a defeat for those who promote the "precautionary principle" as a guiding philosophy in environment, health, and safety policies.