In my previous life, before food took over completely, I was a scientist, a microbiologist to be precise. To get to that point, I had to study all sorts of biologies at university and a particular favourite subject for me, was plant biotechnology, or the genetic modification of plants. So I know a little about it and how foods are produced in this way.

Granted, things have come a long way since then, a lot more research has been done and many more technologies have been developed but I can understand Prince Charles’ fears. He is concerned that production of GMO crops by large corporations will cause smaller farms and more natural ways of farming to become extinct; he considers it a mass experiment that will go horribly wrong and we will loose the ability to produce food altogether.

I now have visions of the future, using replicators to make food - I watch way too much Star Trek!! But it’s not as black and white as that, genetic modification of crops is a very grey area. As yet we don’t have research to say GMOs are bad for us and their potential for producing disease resistant strains could eliminate the use of pesticides and other chemicals, surely that’s a good thing?

Prince Charles’ comments have struck a chord with plant biotech supporters, who feel he has not considered all the research and benefits of GMOs, particularly in the face of rising food prices, where GMOs could raise yields, cut costs and help to feed the world’s hungry.

We don’t have research to say GMOs are harmful to us but we don’t know that they’re definitely ok either! Yes, there are so many arguments why they are going to ’save the world’ but I am sitting firmly on the fence for this one and I don’t plan on intentionally eating anything GM until someone proves to me that they are 100% safe.

How about you? Are you sitting on the GM fence? Does the idea of GM foods bother you? Do you agree with Prince Charles or do you think he’s an alarmist?

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