The results of the GM Public Debate (dubbed 'GM Nation?') sums up the UK public's essential rejection of GM. The government launched the 'GM Nation?' exercise amid allegations that Downing Street was ignoring huge public disquiet over the proposed genetic modification of food and crops. Over 37,000 people took part, with 86 per cent of people firmly opposing the growing GM crops in the UK.
We also did some polling and submitted our results to the GM Public Debate committee. Again there was an overwhelming rejection of GM.
The last major report on GM in 2003, the results of farm scale trials of GM crops, was published on 16 October. The trials only examined the effect of weedkillers on wildlife. The key issues of cross-pollination, contamination of the global food chain, gene transfer and effects on human health remain unexplored and will not be looked at by these trials.
A final commercialisation decision will be made next year, after the results of the Farm Scale Evaluations have been published.
Jury votes on GM crops
The GM Jury project was designed to help shape the Government's decision over the commercialisation of GM crops in the UK. It was funded by Greenpeace, the Consumers' Association, the Co-operative Group and Unilever.
Read the jury's verdict.
