GM crops do not help farmers use fewer chemicals. American farmers of GM
crops have shown that promises of higher yields, lower chemical use and
profitability for farmers do not stand up in practice.
GM crops contaminate farmland. Research by the EU found that they would
inevitably contaminate non-GM crops and some wild plants if they were widely
grown in the UK. Contamination could threaten non-GM and organic farm
businesses in Britain - this has happened in the US.
The introduction of GM may mean the eradication of consumer choice. You
could lose the right to eat GM-free food.
GM crops will not feed the world. According to ActionAid, only 1 per cent
of GM research is aimed at crops used by farmers in poor countries. GM crops
are designed to make a few GM companies very rich andundermine farming methods
crucial to meeting long-term, local food needs.
GM foods that taste better or that might stop you getting cancer do not
exist. GM crops are used almost exclusively to make processed foods, cooking
oils or animal feed.
Points made by Ben Ayliffe, GM campaigner, Greenpeace UK
Questions posed by Pete Riley, GM campaigner, Friends of the Earth
How will it be possible to avoid GM if the commercialisation of GM goes
ahead?
Will the Government increase funds for research into non-GM approaches to
food and farming?
Who will be liable for possible harm to health or the environment and
compensate farmers and food manufacturers if their produce is contaminated
with GM?
Will future generations be able to reverse genetic modification?
Questions posed by Pete Riley, GM campaigner, Friends of the Earth