Abstract
Once again, there are calls to reopen the debate on genetically modified (GM) crops. I find these calls frustrating and unnecessarily decisive. In my opinion the GM debate, on both sides, continues to hamper the urgent need to address the diverse and pressing challenges of global food security and environmental sustainability. The destructive power of the debate comes from its conflation of unrelated issues, coupled with deeply rooted misconceptions of the nature of agriculture.
Highlights
Once again, there are calls to reopen the debate on genetically modified (GM) crops
Genetic modification (GM) has become the poster child for everything they consider bad about modern agriculture
It is reasonable to be disturbed by some of the current trends in agricultural practices, with fears fuelled by past errors, such as the previous emergence in the UK of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
Summary
There are calls to reopen the debate on genetically modified (GM) crops. I find these calls frustrating and unnecessarily decisive. None of these issues has anything to do with GM as a technique for improving or introducing plant traits. 10,000 years, bred out of our main food plants all kinds of survival strategies that natural selection put in.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
