Briefings

Recent Articles

  • Briefing 33: Can Biological Containment Work for Crops and Society? portable document file (PDF)
    1st December 2005

    8 pages.

    One of the potential risks of GM crops is that the introduced genes will be passed to other non-GM crops or related wild plants. This could result in the contamination of foods or the evolution of new, more competitive weeds, causing problems for farmers or ecosystems.

    One response to this threat has been to develop further genetic modifications of the plant that attempt to reduce or eliminate gene flow by altering the plant's reproductive processes. The most notorious of these is 'Terminator technology', where a crop produces sterile seeds, but a range of other approaches is being developed. This briefing reviews the different approaches and considers their effectiveness and practicality. This is important because 'biological containment' is being promoted as a biosafety issue. While biological containment systems to prevent gene flow may be presented as safety mechanisms for PR purposes, their main purpose is an economic one - to prevent farmers keeping seed for future use or to reduce possible liability claims for contamination, for example.

  • Briefing 29: Growing GM crops: The Need for Contamination and Liability Rules portable document file (PDF)
    30th September 2004

    8 pages.

    One major concern about growing GM crops is whether it will be possible to maintain non-GM food supplies which have not been contaminated by GM and who will bear the cost if contamination arises. In July 2004, the Government announced that it is to hold a consultation on the co-existence of GM and non-GM crops to consider these issues . The outcome will be important because it will establish the rules for GM crop growing in this country. Key issues include:

    • what level of contamination is the target maximum for conventional non-GM and organic produce;
    • who will pay for any economic losses caused by GM contamination;
    • whether or not areas of the UK could establish themselves as GM-free;
    • and who will pay for any environmental damage that may arise.

    This briefing considers these issues and the impact decisions are likely to have.

  • Briefing 21: Genetic Modification: The Need for Special Regulation portable document file (PDF)
    1st January 2003

    8 Pages

    In 2003, the government will decide whether to allow the commercial growing of the first GM crops. Some people argue that GM is an extension of conventional breeding practices and should not be 'discriminated' against or 'singled out' for special demands in terms of liability or other regulations such as labelling. However, GeneWatch and many others believe that GM is different and demands particular attention.

  • in Briefings
    Briefing 4: Genetically Engineered Crops and Food: The Case for a Moratorium portable document file (PDF)
    1st November 1998

    Examines the justification for a comprehensive moratorium on genetically engineered crops and food and outlines the issues which must be addressed while such a moratorium is in place. Particular attention is paid to:

    • public opposition to genetically engineered crops and foods,
    • inadequate safety regulations,
    • how non genetically engineered food production is likely to be compromised.

  • in Briefings
    Briefing 1: Genetically Modified Foods: Will Labelling Provide Choice? portable document file (PDF)
    1st March 1998

    Examines the debate over the labelling of genetically engineered foods with particular reference to:

    • public concern over genetically engineered foods,
    • the response of industry and regulatory authorities to the demand for labelling,
    • the confusion surrounding current and proposed regulations,
    • recommendations for solutions.

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