GM Crops

Genetically Modified Organisims - otherwise known as GM crops - have aroused a significant amount of debate in recent years. They can be defined as organisms in which the 'genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination' (according to UK government legislation). Basically they have been artificially engineered in order to suit man's agricultural needs.

There are advantages to this process of intervening in nature's development:
 

• Farmers can grow a larger crop because it is easier to fight pests
• Farmers can protect the environment by using less crop spray - genetically modified plants can be engineered to defend themselves against common diseases and pests
• The 'technology' could help farmers produce more food with fewer resources. This is important in a world of massive population growth and excessive consumption of natural resources.
• GM crops can be artificially enriched with molecules such as beta-carotene, which have major health benefits for humans
• The proteins that cause allergies can be modified or eliminated
• There are hopes that GM crops could be the answer to global food crises, particular in the third world, because the risk of harvest failures will be substantially reduced

However, serious concerns have been raised by many pro-environment groups, such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. They have outlined numerous problems with GM crops, both for humans and for the natural environment:
 

• GM crops can contaminate other crops when pollen is blown by the wind from one field to another
• Pests may develop resistance to GM crops and this can lead to the destruction of an entire year's harvest
• Often, more chemicals are used on some GM field which may have a negative impact on the environment
• There are still fears that GM crops could be harmful to human health; there is no substantial evidence that assures of either their benefits or their dangers. New proteins have been introduced into the human and animal food chain that could cause allergies or unpredictable effects
• GM crops present a threat to wildlife, because of the wider use of weedkills to remove other unwanted plants in the field. There is a fear that species of bird such as the skylark will be wiped out, because they will have no insects to feed upon.

These lists are not extensive, but they provide an insight into some of the debates and controversies surrounding the use of GM crops. The government's current policy is:

'There is no scientific case for a blanket ban on the cultivation of GM crops in the UK, but that proposed uses need to be assessed for safety on a case-by-case basis. The Government will continue to take a precautionary approach and only agree to the commercial release of a GM crop if the evidence shows that it does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.'

Useful Websites

www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/index.htm
Outlines the latest government policy and provides basic information on GM crops and their uses

www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/gm_crops_food.pdf
Friends of the Earth offers a comprehensive guide to GM crops from the 'anti' camp, and answers many key questions

www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gm
The Guardian presents articles, opinions and blogs on the issue of GM crops