UK farmers want to grow GM crops
I just found this article in the UK newspaper The Telegraph. It seems researchers at Open University in the United Kingdom conducted a study that found farmers in the UK are in favor of growing genetically modified crops as long as they provide economic benefits to the farmer. According to the article, the farmers interviewed also felt that GM crops could help produce enough high-quality food to feed the citizens of the UK as the country's climate changes and the population soars. Check out the article below.
C.S. Prakash
UK farmers want to grow GM crops
The Telegraph
February 24, 2008
Farmers are in favour of growing genetically modified crops in Britain despite public fears over their safety, new research has revealed.
An Open University study has found that farmers and farming industry leaders believe GM technology is the only way to produce enough high-quality food as the country's climate changes and the population soars.
Farmers claim that using GM crops will help them cut down on herbicides and pesticides while increasing the amount of food that can be harvested.
But their views contrast with the strong public scepticism over GM foods and fears that the genes artificially introduced into plants could escape into the wild, changing natural plants.
Prof Andy Lane, who led the series of interviews and workshops with 50 farmers and members of farming organisations, said: "New technology such as GM is attractive to farmers. They want to produce high-quality food profitably and they want to farm in an environmentally sensitive way. GM may allow them to reconcile this conundrum."
The findings come just one week after government officials confirmed they were considering growing GM crops at secret locations to combat vandalism caused by anti-GM campaigners.
Biotechnology companies have warned the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that GM trials have become too expensive to conduct in Britain.
The debate over GM crops was reignited last year by the Government's former chief scientific adviser, Professor Sir David King, who claimed opposition to GM technology was leaving Britain at a competitive disadvantage.
Farming leaders also agree that they are suffering as other countries have embraced biotechnology.
