BLAIR: GM FOODS ARE `POTENTIALLY HARMFUL'
PA News
Sonntag, 27. Februar 2000 00:37:00
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By John Deane, Chief Political Correspondent, PA News
Genetically modified crops and foods are potentially damaging to human health
and the environment, the Prime Minister Tony Blair acknowledged tonight.
Mr Blair said that "they jury is still out" on the new food technology and
that "there is cause for legitimate public concern."
Mr Blair argued that the potential benefits of GM technology were
considerable, but insisted that his Government was not an unquestioning
supporter of GM food, and that its first priority would always be to provide the
highest level of protection for the public.
His comments appeared to mark a significant shift in his attitude to GM
technology.
Only a year ago Mr Blair expressed his "frustration" at the outcry over
genetic modification, and said he was sufficiently confident about the safety of
GM foods to eat them himself.
In an article for the Independent on Sunday, Mr Blair wrote: "There is no
doubt that there is potential for harm, both in terms of human safety and in the
diversity of our environment, from GM foods and crops.
"It's why the protection of the public and the environment is, and will
remain, the Government's over-riding priority."
However Mr Blair continued: "But there is no doubt, either, that this new
technology could bring benefits for mankind. Some of the benefits from
biotechnology are already being seen in related areas such as the production of
life-saving medicines ...
"GM crops, too, have the potential for good -- helping feed the hungry by
increasing yields, enabling new strains of crops to be grown in hostile
conditions, or which are resistant to pests and disease."
Mr Blair insisted: "The key word here is potential, both in terms of harm and
benefit. The potential for good highlights why we were right not to slam the
door on GM food or crops without further research. The potential for harm shows
why we are right to proceed very cautiously indeed. And this is exactly what we
are doing."
And he concluded: "I can promise that no GM food will be put on the market
here without going through the most rigorous safety assessments in the world ...
no GM crops will be grown commercially in this country until we are satisfied
there will be no unacceptable impact on the environment."
Mr Blair's article was welcomed by Charles Secrett, executive director of
Friends of the Earth, who said: "This is a fantastic leap forward.
"For the first time Mr Blair seems to be listening to the people on these
issues. The article signifies a real change of approach both over GM technology
and on environmental issues as a whole."