It seems the public are still having a lot of difficulty swallowing the positive spins put on GM food - so much so that the Government have called in Scientific reinforcements to try and convince Britain it’s safe to eat it. The plan is for studies to take place in order to disprove all the negatives about so-called “Frankenstein foods” - lets hope it doesn’t backfire!
The official stance of Gordon Brown and his cronies is that they, like Switzerland are neutral to the whole issue - largely because of the widespread opposition. However, off the radar a significant amount of research is underway in order to try and convince campaigners that eating GM food is not harmful.
Heading up the team of scientists carrying out the study is Professor John Beddington - Chief Scientific Officer for the Government. His team will be made up of members of the Foresight Institute - a facility put in place to investigate science and technology related long-term issues for the Government.
Their mission, should they choose to accept it (ok so they already have), is to find a way of feeding a growing world population - with figures set to rise to 9 billion by 2050 - without GM food being an issue. However, Jane Kennedy - the Farming and Environment minister, has mentioned that it will also be part of their plan to uncover the true potential of using GM crops and food.
Although the minister feels “cautious” over agreeing to GM products in Britain, she revealed, : “My own opinion is less important than what John Beddington might come up with. When the public are deeply concerned and hold strong views, they tend not to listen when ministers express a view. But they will listen to those who have the experience and knowledge to be able to offer solid advice.”
Ms Kennedy added that she would be open to GM crop trials in the UK. It has not been possible to carry out any in the past due to recurring vandalism from campaigners, but now the Government are considering it in a “secure” location.
She also went on to say that it was an important issue to resolve due to the increasing amount of GM products used to feed animals, “The options for those countries which want to stay GM-free are reducing, therefore the price of non-GM animal feed is going up. If that trend continues, it means meat products in countries which choose not to use GM becoming more and more expensive. There are clear implications for the UK,” she said.
A number of Cabinet misters feel strongly about the benefits of the GM revolution in ending the global food crisis. One commented, “Gordon Brown wants a debate about the issue. But he wants it to be led by the scientists, not by politicians. We have now put the ball in the scientists’ court.”
Some activist groups are angry at the Government, claiming they have attempted to sneak GM food in, regardless of the fact a four year international study carried out by 400 scientists did not come back
with a positive outcome to give GM foods the go ahead.
Senior food campaigner at Friends of the Earth, Clare Oxborrow said, “[The Government] is obsessed with GM as a techno-fix solution to problems in food and farming which are much more complex.”
The Government’s official agenda for the new study states that, “the project will look out to 2050 and take a global view of the food system [and]… how new science, policies and interventions could best address future challenges”.
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It seems the public are still having a lot of difficulty swallowing the positive spins put on GM food - so much so that the Government have called in Scientific reinforcements to try and convince Britain it’s safe to eat it. The plan is for studies to take place in order to disprove all the negatives about so-called “Frankenstein foods” - lets hope it doesn’t backfire!
The official stance of Gordon Brown and his cronies is that they, like Switzerland are neutral to the whole issue - largely because of the widespread opposition. However, off the radar a significant amount of research is underway in order to try and convince campaigners that eating GM food is not harmful.
Heading up the team of scientists carrying out the study is Professor John Beddington - Chief Scientific Officer for the Government. His team will be made up of members of the Foresight Institute - a facility put in place to investigate science and technology related long-term issues for the Government.
Their mission, should they choose to accept it (ok so they already have), is to find a way of feeding a growing world population - with figures set to rise to 9 billion by 2050 - without GM food being an issue. However, Jane Kennedy - the Farming and Environment minister, has mentioned that it will also be part of their plan to uncover the true potential of using GM crops and food.
Although the minister feels “cautious” over agreeing to GM products in Britain, she revealed, : “My own opinion is less important than what John Beddington might come up with. When the public are deeply concerned and hold strong views, they tend not to listen when ministers express a view. But they will listen to those who have the experience and knowledge to be able to offer solid advice.”
Ms Kennedy added that she would be open to GM crop trials in the UK. It has not been possible to carry out any in the past due to recurring vandalism from campaigners, but now the Government are considering it in a “secure” location.
She also went on to say that it was an important issue to resolve due to the increasing amount of GM products used to feed animals, “The options for those countries which want to stay GM-free are reducing, therefore the price of non-GM animal feed is going up. If that trend continues, it means meat products in countries which choose not to use GM becoming more and more expensive. There are clear implications for the UK,” she said.
A number of Cabinet misters feel strongly about the benefits of the GM revolution in ending the global food crisis. One commented, “Gordon Brown wants a debate about the issue. But he wants it to be led by the scientists, not by politicians. We have now put the ball in the scientists’ court.”
Some activist groups are angry at the Government, claiming they have attempted to sneak GM food in, regardless of the fact a four year international study carried out by 400 scientists did not come back
with a positive outcome to give GM foods the go ahead.
Senior food campaigner at Friends of the Earth, Clare Oxborrow said, “[The Government] is obsessed with GM as a techno-fix solution to problems in food and farming which are much more complex.”
Share and Enjoy:The Government’s official agenda for the new study states that, “the project will look out to 2050 and take a global view of the food system [and]… how new science, policies and interventions could best address future challenges”.