The advocates of genetic engineering say it could be a solution to the world's most intractable food problems. Genetically modified foods will be beneficial to everyone,' says Jackie Dowthwaite, spokeswoman for the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which represents the UK's food processing industry. The FDF believes that by using genetic engineering, or 'biotechnology' as it is also known, scientists will be able to work miracles. These include making crops resistant to disease, thus helping to feed the world and reducing use of pesticides; increasing protein and vitamin levels to make food more nutritious; decreasing fat content to make food healthier, and making fruit and vegetables last longer
So why has every single supermarket chain decided to ban all genetically modified ingredients from their own-label products?
'Consumers are being conned,' says Iceland chairman and chief executive Malcolm Walker. 'This is probably the most significant and potentially dangerous development in food production this century, yet the British public is largely ignorant of it, and they are likely to be eating genetically modified foods already without their knowledge.'
So what are the risks?
According to the FDF, genetic engineering is only an extension of what has been taking place already. "Since history began, man has bred plants and animals to make them stronger, healthier and bigger. Genetic modification is the modern equivalent," says Dowthwaite.
Opponents of genetic engineering warn that a gene inserted into a new species or organism won't necessarily behave in the same way as it does in it's natural one. Possible knock on effects could include the creation of new toxins such as bacteria that unexpectedly kill beneficial soil fungi or are poisonous to plants, or diseases; weakness, and allergens on the GMO. One striking example of this was a Soya bean that had been genetically engineered to have higher protein content. The company developing it had to abandon it because it caused severe allergic reactions; scientists had inserted genes from a brazil nut to raise the protein level and inadvertently transferred the allergen.
All too often genetic engineering inflicts serious health problems on animals. Genetically engineered pigs have suffered heart and joint disease, ulcers and inflammation of the kidneys, and sheep have got pneumonia,' says Peter Stevenson of Compassion in World Farming.
The Consumers Association feels that 'genetically modified foods could potentially benefit consumers'. However, it is concerned about the absence of any labelling system to enable shoppers to choose whether to buy genetically engineered foods or not. Currently labelling foods as GM or containing GM ingredients is voluntary. The European Commission is currently arguing over the extent of compulsory labelling rules, cantering on whether genetically modified organisms should be identified as they leave producers, or after they have been processed.
Meanwhile, the companies who stand to make billions from genetic engineering are determined to safe guard their investment. They're throwing all their weight into wooing us, the doubting public, hiring PR consultants and pulling out all the stops to sell the theoretical benefits of this new technology.