What are the benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops and food; just how much do we really know about the various meals we will eat today? These are just two of the many questions we need to answer if we are to resolve the negative perception currently witnessed around the biotechnology of food.
Despite the fact that GM food research has been carried out now for several decades there are currently no recorded commercial crops or products made in the UK. But this may be set to change with possible new government incentives to review new farming methods and the launch of new initiatives to change public perception of GM foods.
The change that is necessary will be difficult to achieve, particularly in light of the recent study by the EU's official food safety watchdog, which has revealed the approval process for safety in GM crops is significantly flawed, as it has failed to identify what they call a virus gene within GM crops.
This virus gene may be harmful to humans and lobbyists against GM crops are calling for a halt to all production until further tests can be carried out.
Supporters of GM crops argue there is little or no evidence to suggest GM foods are harmful to humans. However when you do look through the literature very little research exists on the relationship of GM foods and human health.
If the public's mistrust as to the possible benefits of GM technology is to change then we need to see a radical change in how subsequent research is conducted and shared within our community.