Thursday, May 27, 1999 Published at 13:02 GMT 14:02 UK
'Moral obligation' to develop GM crops
GM crops will improve "food security"
An influential UK scientific think-tank says there is a moral obligation to develop genetically-modified (GM) crops.
The council, which has addressed other major ethical issues such as genetic screening and animal-to-human transplants, has no statutory powers but does have influence in government.
Call for government regulation
The working party's chairman, Professor Alan Ryan, Warden of New College, Oxford, says GM food raises ethical issues that are typical to all the new gene technologies.
"One of the messages of our report is that getting the benefits and avoiding the dangers can't be left to the marketplace alone. Intelligent government regulation is needed as well."
But the report is strongest on what GM crops might offer developing nations in producing plants with less disease and higher yields. It says the new crops will "make a substantial contribution to food security", making a vital impact in combating malnutrition.
It does make the point, however, that research needs to be directed more at the food staples of developing nations, rather than at the crops grown in Western countries.
The council also calls on the government to increase its financial support to agencies that are working in this direction.
"They talk about feeding the world - but all the corporations want to do is feed their profits," said a spokesman. "The multinationals are imposing a technology that favours large-scale farming techniques. That will destroy the livelihoods of smaller farmers - and so wreak havoc on local communities."
Christian Aid's concerns have been echoed by ActionAid. It fears the new herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant crops will tie farmers into purchasing expensive chemicals.
It says the seeds and chemicals would probably be produced by the same multinational, boosting the profits of the company while impoverishing the farmer.