Readers' reactions

Last week in The THES ... Jules Pretty explained why we should ban genetically modified crops.

Adeela Warley Public information manager Friends of the Earth

I would like to register my personal support for a ban on genetically modified foods until there is sufficient research to show it is safe for human health and the environment. My personal view is that we should first look at producing food in a sustainable and organic way that has benefits for health.

Adam Garfunkel Consultant at C21, an information design company specialising in environmental issues

The marketing of genetically modified foods is insidious, suggesting that they can help feed the world, when food access is a social and political question, not one that demands a scientific techno fix. Also GM foods will result in a greater reliance on intensive agricultural practices, and preclude the possibilities of organic agriculture.

Mick Fuller Reader in crop improvement at the department of agriculture and food studies Seale-Hayne faculty of agriculture, food and land use University of Plymouth

The crux of why we have a problem with genetically modified organisms is that the agrochemical companies got impatient and wanted a quick return on research investments. They want to release GMOs that would give them guaranteed returns. However, it does not appear to have immediate impact on the consumer and is an easy target to attack. I wonder if we would have the same resistance to GMOs if the first GMOs to be marketed had been vegetables or fruits with higher levels of anti-oxidants which would give guaranteed anti-cancer effects.