Meacher questions Blair about GM feeding studies



House of Commons 
Hansard 
Debates text for Wednesday 18 Jun 2003

Questions to the Prime Minister 18 June 2003

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmhansrd/cm030618/debtext/30618-03.htm#30618-03_spnew14

Mr.  Michael Meacher (Oldham,  West and  Royton):  May  I  ask  a
question  about the current public debate on genetically modified
food?  The Prime Minister has said repeatedly that a decision  on
whether  to  commercialise  GM crops should be made on scientific
grounds,  and that it should be established whether  there  is  a
risk to health or the environment.  Quite so.  

Is the Prime Minister aware that there have been no human feeding
trials  in  either  the  United  States  or the United Kingdom to
establish the health  or  biochemical  effects  of  consuming  GM
foods?   Does he agree that until such tests are carried out,  an
important option for the Government  when  they  are  reaching  a
decision  later  this  year  is the exercise of the precautionary
principle?  Does he agree with that,  and will he ensure that  it
is taken on board very seriously?  


The Prime Minister: I certainly think it is very important for us
to  take  on  board all the issues relating to GM food.  The only
other thing I have said,  and I say  it  again,  is  that  it  is
important  for  the  whole debate to be conducted on the basis of
scientific evidence, not on the basis of prejudice.  

Let me also point out that the biotech industry in  this  country
is  immensely important,  and it is important for its future that
it recognises that decisions made by Government will be based  on
proper  scientific evidence.  I say this to my right hon.  Friend
in all sincerity:  it worries me that there are voices,  here and
in  the  rest  of  Europe,  that  are not prepared to give enough
consideration to the potential benefits as well as the  potential
downsides.   All  I  say is that it is important to the future of
our country and other countries that  the  decision  is  made  on
proper scientific grounds.