Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

What are GMOs?

©Joe Sutton

GMOs are organisms whose genetic material (either DNA or RNA) has been altered artificially. Typically this means the DNA of an organism is removed, manipulated outside the cell and then reinserted into the same or another organism.

The aim of genetic modification is to introduce a new or altered characteristic to the target organism. In farming this technology has been used to enable farmers to grow ‘super crops’, which are resistant to drought or pests for example. This therefore increases crop production but minimises costs.

Why is Plantlife concerned about the use of GMOs in farming?

Plantlife is concerned that the release of GMOs constitutes one threat too many to our already vulnerable flora. For too long, our countryside and its wildlife have been the victims of the intensification of farming.

The UK has been trying to apply the American model of ranch farming - rich in terms of agricultural yield, yet devoid of wildlife - to British farms. It is entirely inappropriate to try to apply American agricultural models to the UK, as here, 70% of our land is farmed, whereas just 35% of US land is farmed.

If we are to honour our biodiversity commitments we must farm in ways that allow wild flora to use the whole countryside. We must not let the release of GMOs be the next disastrous agricultural revolution.

Scientfic farm trials (1999 - 2005) have shown GMOs do have adverse impacts on the environment and our wild plants in particular. The wider effects of GMOs on our countryside and the wild animals and plants that live there have still not been considered in sufficient detail and until further research on gene transfer to wild plants and competition has been conducted, we would not support the release of GMOs into the UK's countryside.

The farm-scale trials of GM spring-sown oil seed rape, sugar beet, maize and winter-sown oil seed rape have all demonstrated that these genetically modified crops are harmful to wildlife. These four-year trials were designed to evaluate the environmental impact of this new farming practice before it was introduced. They demonstrated in three cases that GM crops are more harmful to wildlife than conventional crops. The fourth case was flawed because the weedkiller it was resistent to has since been banned by the EU. Plantlife is keen to make sure that government policy remains firmly based on scientific evidence and that no licences to grow GM crops in the UK are now issued.

Plantlife's report Genes, Crops and Superweeds details both the known and anticipated impacts of GMOs. Copies of the report are available from the Plantlife office.

What you can do to help

• Support organic farming by buying organic produce where possible.
• Write to your MP and call for the Government to ban imports of GM products.
• Check food labels. Under new labelling laws, manufacturers must state if products contain GM ingredients. Don't buy GM food.
• Write to or email your local council and ask for them to become a GM-Free area.