The alleged risk to health from GM crops is still the main reason for
public disquiet—something nurtured by statements by environmental NGOs,
who in 2002 even persuaded the Zambian government to reject food aid
from the US at a time of famine because some of it was derived from GM
crops. This allegation of harm has been so soundly and frequently
refuted that when it is repeated, the temptation is to despair. But
unless the charge is confronted, contradicted and disproved whenever it
is made, its credibility will persist. The fact is that there is not a
shred of any evidence of risk to human health from GM crops. Every
academy of science, representing the views of the world's leading
e...

The alleged risk to health from GM crops is still the main reason for
public disquiet—something nurtured by statements by environmental NGOs,
who in 2002 even persuaded the Zambian government to reject food aid
from the US at a time of famine because some of it was derived from GM
crops. This allegation of harm has been so soundly and frequently
refuted that when it is repeated, the temptation is to despair. But
unless the charge is confronted, contradicted and disproved whenever it
is made, its credibility will persist. The fact is that there is not a
shred of any evidence of risk to human health from GM crops. Every
academy of science, representing the views of the world's leading
experts—the Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Brazilian, French and American
academies as well as the Royal Society, which has published four
separate reports on the issue—has confirmed this

Some opponents of GM crops, who seem to have realised that the argument
based on lack of safety has no basis, now focus their opposition on
environmental concerns, arguing that GM crops destroy biodiversity. It
would be wrong to claim that the planting of GM crops could never have
adverse environmental effects. But their impact depends on
circumstances, on the particular crop and environment in which it is
grown. Such effects occur with all sorts of agriculture. Worldwide
experience of GM crops to date provides strong evidence that they
actually benefit the environment. They reduce reliance on agrochemical
sprays, save energy, use less fossil fuels in their production and
reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. And by improving yields, they
make better use of scarce agricultural land