‘GM Nation’ debate launched
An unusual new public consultation has been launched today in an attempt to inform the public of issues surrounding genetic modification technology, and to find out their opinions of the many concerns.
Entitled ‘GM Nation’, the consultation has been designed by the independently run steering board to involve the public at large and promote informed debate rather than grand standing by men in suits using biased and well practiced arguments.
To this end a road show will visit Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Birmingham, Taunton and Harrogate, and will have members of the public sit at tables of ten to discuss their views.
The process hopes to enlighten participants with a range of information sources so that anybody can take part and hopefully help each other arrive at informed opinions. Views will be recorded by a voting system; however, the delay in field trials will mean that these opinions have to be formed without the latest results.
Information that is available will also be made available via the Internet, as will the opportunity to vote, although this does not amount to a referendum and conclusions of the process are not intended to be quantitative.
The Government has committed to issue a public response to the national debate, which is likely to play a part in forming policy, and environment minister Michael Meacher has promised that the public will be listened to, although the extent to which it outweighs other issues will not be quantifiable.
European Law on GM food is being updated to enable governments to act on evidence of risk to the environment and biodiversity, as well as public health. Although this consultation will not prove risks exist, it will help the government to measure what the public consider a risk. It should also permit the government to form a stance in the EU, where it has remained neither a promoter of GM, nor a detractor.
Mr Meacher has acknowledged that there are many complex issues surrounding Genetic Modification including economic benefits or costs to different farmers, perceived risks and improvements to public health, and possible risks and benefits to the environment.
Reflecting on this he suggested that concerns about the government ignoring the public on this issue are premature as the debate has only just begun, and because many people are unlikely to arrive at a simple yes or no verdict on genetically modified guests.
