Loading ...Leeds University GM Potato Trial Vandalised
In early May 2008 Defra approved a GM potato trial at Leeds University, stating “It is satisfied that the proposed trial will not result in any adverse effect on human health or the environment.”
The trial was to be carried out in North Yorkshire and last for three years. A similar trial last year had to be abandoned after protests.
Leeds University’s Faculty of Biological Sciences, were given approval to grow around 1,200 genetically modified potato plants near Tadcaster. They have added a synthetic gene to the potato plants that they believe would drastically reduce the amount of pest repellent or insecticides used to spray potato plants annually.
The Farmers Guardian has just reported that the Leeds University GM potato trial has been destroyed by activists who are against GM crops.
Due to an EU Directive the exact location of trials must be published and to date companies have failed to protect their crop trials even with 24 hour guards and high fences.
Dr Peter Urwin said EU governments should be able to protect the trials they authorise and called for the establishment of secure, vandal-proof national testing centres.
I am certainly no fan of GM crops, as you can see in my post about the GM biotech crops decision delay in May and the fact that scientists are only now talking of secure, vandal proof testing centres is simply adding to my concerns.
I have no issues with controlled testing of GM crops, where would we be if people had destroyed penicillin testing but I find it astonishing that these crops are simply put into fields next to local farmers crops, perhaps I am naive but I would think with the level of public concern about GM crops they would have taken more precautions in protecting surrounding land and crops than guards and fences.
The Guardian published an article back in February titled Biotech firm mans barricades as campaigners vow to stop trials which is well worth a read.
Leave a Reply