http://www.fwi.co.uk/article.asp?con=12363&sec=18&hier=2 British public says 'no' to GMs Source: FWi 24 September 2003 By Paul Andersen RESULTS from the GM Nation? debate, released on Wednesday (24 September), reveal that people in the UK are generally uneasy about GM crops and GM food. Over half (54%) of the participants in the debate never want to see GM crops grown in the United Kingdom. A further 18% would find GM crops acceptable only if there was no risk of cross-contamination. Only 2% thought GM crops would be acceptable in any circumstances, and only 8% were happy to eat GM food (86% were not). Most people feel that there is a need for more knowledge about potential risk to the environment and human health. Very few would support early commercialisation of GM crops. The report reveals widespread mistrust of GM decision-makers - in particular the government and multi-national companies. People taking part in the debate expressed a wish for a reliable, independent authority which can be trusted to establish the facts about GM crops. The steering board of the public GM debate received 36,557 completed feedback forms, and the responses show a general pattern of caution, suspicion or outright hostility towards GM crops or foods. 95% of respondents feared the risk that non-GM crops may be contaminated by the introduction of GM crops. 93% thought that GM technology is driven more by profit than by public interest. The Consumers' Association has called for the government to ensure that the report plays a key role in its decision about GM commercialization. Friends of the Earth has challenged the government to listen to its findings and rule out GM commercialization in the UK. The Agricultural Biotechnology Council, on behalf of the UK agricultural biotechnology industry, has claimed that up to 73% of the feedback forms sent to the GM debate steering board, can be clearly identified as being "orchestrated" by campaigning groups. The chairman of the steering board, Professor Malcolm Grant, said that hardly any evidence had been found of orchestrated feedback from respondents.