Genetically Modified Crops
Our Findings
Genetically Modified Crops: the ethical and social issues examined the ethical issues which are raised by the development and application of GM plant technology. The perspective on GM crops was guided by consideration of three main ethical principles: the principle of general human welfare, the maintenance of people’s rights and the principle of justice. The Working Party found the application of some of these considerations to the concerns expressed, such as the need to ensure food security for present and future generations, safety for consumers and care of the environment, to be relatively straightforward and broadly utilitarian. Others, stemming from the concern that GM crops are ‘unnatural’, were found to be more complex.
The Working Party accepted that some genetic modifications are truly novel but concludes that there is no clear dividing line which could prescribe what types of genetic modification are unacceptable because they are considered by some to be ‘unnatural’. It took the view that the genetic modification of plants does not differ to such an extent from conventional breeding that it is in itself morally objectionable. GM technology does, however, have the potential to lead to significant changes in farming practices in food production and in the environment. The Working Party concluded that it was necessary to maintain and develop further a powerful public policy framework to guide and regulate the way GM technology was applied in the UK. It recommended that an over-arching, independent biotechnology advisory committee is established to consider within a broad remit, the scientific and ethical issues together with the public values associated with GM crops.
Public concern about the introduction of GM crops has led to calls for bans on GM food and moratoria on plantings. The Working Party did not believe that there was enough evidence of actual or potential harm to justify a moratorium on either GM crop research, field trials or limited release into the environment at this stage. However, recommendations were made about the needs for improved risk assessment methods, post-release monitoring and the evaluation of cumulative and indirect environmental impacts. The Working Party concluded that all the GM food so far on the market in this country is safe for human consumption. The Working Party recommended that a genuine choice of non-GM foods should remain available, with foods which contain identifiable GM material being appropriately labelled. The Working Party urged the Government and the scientific community to share their responsibilities in disseminating reliable information about the underlying science and to respond to public concerns.
The Working Party concluded that the application of genetic modification to crops has the potential to bring about significant benefits, such as improved nutrition, enhanced pest resistance, increased yields and new products such as vaccines. The moral imperative for making GM crops readily and economically available to developing countries who want them was compelling. Consequently, the Working Party recommended a major increase in financial support for GM crop research directed at the employment-intensive production of food staples together with the implementation of international standards.
Last Updated Thu, 3 June 2004