The dangerously polarized debate on genetic modification

Establishes what is meant by the term “genetic modification” and reviews the many methods used in agriculture to achieve it, including traditional breeding techniques and new, artificial recombinant DNA technologies (“new GM”). Argues strongly that it is important that neither side of the debate resorts to over-simplified generalizations about the “new GM” but that each new development needs to be treated on its own, scientific, merit. Expresses concern that if politically pragmatic strategies are not developed on that basis, the opportunities presented by new GM technologies could be permanently lost.