Genetically Modified Food Is Safe - So Stop Bashing It, Scientists Tell Greens

Green activists have mounted a battle against genetically modified food - but it’s perfectly safe, according to more than 100 Nobel laureates.

A letter, signed by 109 Nobel laureates, says that genetically modified foods and organisms are a safe way to feed hungry people, and that campaigns against them must stop.

The letter condemned the stance of environmental group Greenpeace, which has campaigned against Golden Rice - which contains genes from corn and a bacterium.

The letter says, ‘Greenpeace has spearheaded opposition to Golden Rice, which has the potential to reduce or eliminate much of the death and disease caused by a vitamin A deficiency (VAD), which has the greatest impact on the poorest people in Africa and Southeast Asia.’

Dr Richard J Roberts said, ‘We’re scientists. We understand the logic of science. It’s easy to see what Greenpeace is doing is damaging and is anti-science.

‘Greenpeace initially, and then some of their allies, deliberately went out of their way to scare people. It was a way for them to raise money for their cause.’