Country Life
(Letters)

You were correct to welcome the comments of HRH the Prince of Wales with regard to the future use of genetically modified organisms in your leader of June 18 ('Gene cuisine: no recipe for Europe') if it creates a national debate on the subject. However, for that debate to be useful to society as a whole (in the UK, in Europe and in the broader world) it must be based on fact. Regrettably, your leader did little in this department.

Consumers do have the right to have proper and informative labelling. The NFU has pushed long and hard for this in order to provide the appropriate reassurances demanded by the public. However, to suggest that as Dr Cunningham has banned beef on the bone (while ridiculing the action) he should now take more extreme action to ban GMOs is illogical two wrongs do not make right.

You fail to take account of the many regulatory and other safeguards already put in place by industry and Government and the substantial research that has been done to cover the safety issues you raise. Your reasoning ignores the potentially enormous environmental benefits that stand to be gained and dismisses the life-saving potential for many people in third world countries.

Debate must be based on established scientific facts. BEN GILL, NFU, Agriculture House, 164 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2.

The Leader of June 18 irresponsibly invoked fear about food safety.

It is unfortunate that you would encourage consumers to deny the future benefits of biotechnology sustainable agriculture and wildlife, more nutritious foods rich in vitamins, perhaps even the prevention of diseases by linking it with BSE. Jeff Rooker MP, Minister for Food Safety, said recently on the BBC: 'I am convinced that [biotechnology foods] are safe in the sense that they have gone through a rigorous process before they are grown, let alone sold.'

The safety and performance of these crops is well-documented through scientific studies involving more than 20,000 field trials around the world during the past 20 years. This has led regulatory agencies in more than 20 countries to agree that our biotechnology crops are safe.

Monsanto has serious self-interest in the responsible management of biotechnology crops. Human health and environmental safety are essential concerns. For us to think otherwise would be commercial suicide.

We are happy to discuss the information that supports the safety of biotechnology crops. ANNE FOSTER, Monsanto, 47 Albemarle Street, London W1.