SUPPORT

AGAINST

The technology

All GM food commercially available has been rigorously assessed to make sure it satisfies strict safety regulations.

There is no conclusive proof that GM foods are safe.

Gene technology has the potential to deliver tastier, healthier and nutritionally-improved food.

Currently, consumers are unable to choose whether they eat non-GM or GM food. Modified and unmodified crops are being mixed together and are in most of our processed foods.

Many GM crops are not substantially changed so it is not necessary to separate modified and unmodified crops as they appear within the food available.

GM crops should be separated from non-GM crops, so that the people who don't want to eat GM foods can avoid them.

Gene technology and the environment

All GM crops must be carefully assessed for their impact on the environment before they are approved for commercial release.

Genetic pollution could happen. Over time, all kinds of plant and animal genes may spread uncontrollably throughout the environment with unwanted consequences.

Some GM crops are modified to resist weed-killers producing a more environmentally friendly crop. This means that the alternative harsher weed killers need not be used unless resistant weeds become a problem.

Some crops have been modified to be tolerant to weed-killers. If weeds breed with these crops they may also become resistant to the weed-killers, creating a problem and possibly requiring stronger chemicals to destroy them.

Using gene technology, plants could be modified to grow in difficult environments - such as crops designed for hostile conditions, like drought. This would help feed the world's growing population.

Agriculture and the environment will be irreversibly altered. GM crops, and anything they breed with, could have a competitive advantage and drive out natural plants and animals.

GM insect resistant crops result in reduced insecticide use which benefits the environment.

If farmers have crops tolerant to weed killers, they will be able to increase the use of chemicals without harming their crops.

Ethics

Genes are made of the same building blocks, and only copies of genes are inserted into other species, never the original genes themselves. Foods containing ethically sensitive genes will be fully labelled.

Genes have been introduced into plants from bacteria, viruses, other plants and even animals. This raises serious concerns for many people, in particular vegetarians and those with certain religious beliefs.

Genetic modification can be seen as a quicker and more accurate development of the traditional selective breeding that has been practised by farmers for hundreds of years.

Genetic modification is tampering with nature. It is different from traditional selective breeding because it involves mixing genes from species that could never interbreed naturally.

Part of the gene technology debate concerns the patenting, and sale of genetic material and gene technologies.

Patents are necessary to support innovation in gene technology. The technology is very expensive and organisations need to get a return on their investment. Patents only apply to specific genetic modifications. Breeders and farmers can continue to use their breeding stock and traditional crops.

The extent of patent protection, such as patenting of whole species, is a real concern.

Plant varieties from developing countries may be modified and patented, and not be affordable by the country of origin.

Patent laws prevent farmers from saving seed from one crop to sow the next season.

At present, it is mainly multinational corporations who hold patents on gene technology products.