UK should lead in GM technology, says chief scientist

The chief scientific adviser to the Government has called for Britain to become a cheerleader for genetically modified food.

Professor Sir David King believes the technology could produce crops to feed those starving in the Third World.

And although the Government is already seen as the most pro-GM in Europe, he believes it should go further.

Sir David, who has long been a supporter of GM technology, told a meeting of scientists in London yesterday: "By 2050, we will need to feed over nine billion people on the planet.

"We will, I believe, only do this with the assistance of a third green revolution and GM technologies will be crucial in delivery of this.

"British science, in particular molecular biology, is a world leader and we should be producing companies that will lead the world in this green revolution.

"To date, the Government has taken a broadly neutral approach to GM issues, with its priorities being to protect human health and the environment and provide choice for the consumer over whether or not to purchase GM food. I believe that it's now time to revisit this issue."

In a BBC interview he said there was a "moral case" for Europe to grow GM crops to help the world's poor. Britain has repeatedly pushed for the European Commission to accept biotech crops.

Scroll down for more...

Sir David has previously been criticised for his support of GM food. In 2003, he chaired a GM science review which became mired in controversy over its pro-GM stance.

For more than a decade, GM companies have said their crops would be the answer to world starvation.

They promised plants that could be grown in near-drought conditions to provide food. But all commercially grown GM crops to date have been grown by vast farms in places such as North America.

This week, scientists claimed to have developed a GM plant that can withstand drought. However, it is a modified form of tobacco.

Environmental charity Friends of the Earth said biotech companies have not delivered on the claimed benefits of GM crops.

Campaigners warned that support for GM farming will give a few companies control of the world's food supplies.