When it comes to the debate on GM crops there seems to be a lot of heated argument from both sides of the fence as to the merits and pitfalls of this particularly hot potato. Greenies aren’t keen on the idea (to say the least) due to the potentially damaging impact of gene transfer to native crops. To be honest, speaking for myself and other like me, we tend to just not like the idea of people tinkering around with our food as we are all a bit untrusting of governments and their lacky scientists to get things right. Generally when people start faffing about with things they stuff them up. There are numerous examples of this, but I can’t be bothered to think of any to list here.

Anyway, pro GM peeps population, how GM crops are cheaper, saving the consumer a bunch of cash, and how they are completely harmless. Also, apparently GM is the only way to feed people in developing nations so we just ‘have’ to go down that route. I do not have any figures on this, but I am presuming we in the UK do not export a whole bunch of crops to hungry people in Africa so I’m not sure it’s a valid reason to support GM in the UK. With regards to cost, perhaps GM is cheaper than standard crops, but what I find funny is that if I go shopping at one of the local farms in my area that it is much cheaper than buying at the supermarket. Other benefits are that I get to eat locally produced food and it’s fresh and seasonal. I live in the country so I guess it’s a heck of a lot easier for me to do that, and I don’t presume that city folk have the same flexibility when it comes to sourcing locally produced food. I read an article that said that by banning GM it will mean the end of cheap food. Does that mean that the majority of the food we eat is already GM? If not, how is it the end of cheap food? To address the point that GM crops are harmless, to be honest I would guess that they probably are. There lies the crux of the problem though- it’s currently a guess and people do not know for sure what the long term impact is, if any. Personally I prefer organic, but you sure do pay a premium for that. Of course, the solution to that is to grow your own, (space permitting) and Suburban Chimp have devoted a section of the portal to gardening and home produce for the big garden, smaller garden and city dweller. Those with flats with no garden and no space to grow should speak to their local council about allotments if interested in ‘growing your own’ as many councils have schemes for just this situation.

Back to the point- to summarise, why do we need GM crops? We don’t. Why do we want GM crops? We don’t. Why are GM crops being forced on us? To make people money. Simple.