Prince ‘must prove anti-GM claim’

BBC
Sunday, Aug 17, 2008

Prince Charles must prove his claim that GM crops could cause a global environmental disaster, Environment Minister Phil Woolas has challenged.

In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, the minister said it is now down to the opponents of genetically modified food to prove it is unsafe.

“If it has been a disaster then please provide the evidence,” he said.

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On Wednesday Prince Charles said firms developing GM crops risk the biggest environmental disaster “of all time”.

The government’s initial response to the prince’s comments in sister paper the Daily Telegraph was to say that it welcomed all voices in the “important” debate and that safety was a priority.

‘Africa strategy’

However, on Sunday Mr Woolas went further, saying it was the government’s “moral responsibility” to investigate whether genetically modified crops could help provide a solution to hunger in the developing world.

“We see this as part of our Africa strategy,” he said.

“It’s easy for those of us with plentiful food supplies to ignore the issue but we have a responsibility to use science to help the less well off where we can.

“I’m grateful to Prince Charles for raising the issue. He raises some very important doubts that are held by many people.

 

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