Scientists launch new GM guide

A new guide – Making Sense of GM – has been published by Sense about Science, a charitable trust.

The guide is supported by some of Britain’s most reputable scientists and research centres and hopes to stimulate fresh discussion on genetic modification.

Its aim is to respond to public questions and misconceptions about GM technology that is grown and eaten widely across the world.

Despite no commercial growth of GM crops in the UK, Google statistics show there are more searches on GM by Britons than in any other country.

One of the world’s leading plant research centres, the John Innes Centre, helped produce the guide. Its director, Prof Chris Lamb, said the British public had a thirst to find out the facts behind the technology

“It feels as if we are being given a second chance to explain the potential of genetic modification and as a society we need to get it right this time.

“Genetic modification of crops is a safe technology. It has the potential to be a powerful tool for improving the sustainability of agriculture and for helping to provide global food security."

“We are increasingly reassured that plant research will be judged on the products it can deliver, rather than the technology used.

“For example, blight resistant potatoes, or fruits and vegetables with an enhanced ability to fight chronic disease, such as our purple tomatoes,” he said.

The production of the guide was also supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Genetics Society, Institute of Food Research and the Lawes Agricultural Trust.

Its publication is in conjunction with the reprint of the Institute of Biology’s factsheet ‘Genetically Modified Food: all you ever wanted to know about GM foods but were afraid to ask.’