The London
Free Press

Genetic Engineering A Risky Act Of Faith

I have been following the debate about genetically modified crops with great interest. As a church commissioner, I will soon have to decide whether to allow the use of Church of England land for trials of genetically modified crops.

My inclination is to support these trials. After all, genetic modification is only a logical extension of the long-established processes of selective breeding of animals and the development of high-yielding species that has gone on for centuries.

Genetic modification uses nature's own God-given techniques for improving crops. There may also be some environmental gain if their development reduces the need for chemical pesticides.

Some oppose these developments on the grounds they "interfere with nature." Well, they do. But so do many medical procedures, from replacement hips to heart bypasses, and most people welcome those. Others say the risks are too great - in spite of the fact that genetically modified foods have a better safety record than mobile phones, eggs, holidays in Florida or the M25 motorway.

There is, however, one very significant anxiety about these new technologies: We do not know what their long-term effects will be. Fears about the long-term risks underlie most of the objections. And the frustrating fact is that the only way to test that is through long-term use.

Dare we take the risk?
For me, as a Christian, there is an overriding reason for continuing with the trials. Every year, millions of people die because carefully nurtured crops have been wiped out by disease, drought or pests. Crops that can better resist these enemies have the potential to transform the lives of whole countries.

We are called to love our neighbours and we owe it to them to explore this way of helping them. The church commissioners will carefully weigh the moral and practical concerns about these crops. And, as always, we will spend time in prayer together before we make our decisions.
We could do with your prayers, too.

Rev. Bob Baker is the priest for the Church of England parish of Brundall, Braydeston and Postwick, in Norfolk and a member of the Church Commissioners for England. The commissioners manage the church's historical assets, including 52,400 hectares of English farmland.