杏吧原创

BRITAIN has a dismal record on issues like this. First it was BSE. More
recently, foot and mouth disease. And in between there was genetically modified
food. When will we learn that with issues as fundamental as food and health, the
government will get nowhere by simply insisting that there is no danger, if
people think it is putting industry profits ahead of public well-being?

At least with GM foods, the government did one thing right: it set up the
Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission. When the commission began
work in July 2000, one-third of its members were arch-critics of GM foods,
alongside equal numbers of pro-GM members and neutrals.

The commission鈥檚 first report, released this week, concerns Britain鈥檚
鈥渇ield-scale evaluations鈥濃�攖he world鈥檚 largest experiment to see if GM
crops are more damaging to farm wildlife than conventional ones. Its conclusions
are broadly sensible: while it insists that trials should be completed, it also
recommends modifications, such as ensuring that the trial plots are in places
where pollen cannot reach organic farms. It also says the government should
consult more openly beforehand with people who live near the trial sites.

Now it鈥檚 the government鈥檚 turn. Having asked for the commission鈥檚 advice, it
must be seen to act. It could be the first step towards restoring public
confidence on food policy.