GM seen more as Jekyll and less as Hyde

Consumers will back genetic modification (GM) technology in Europe within a decade as they see how it could improve the nutritional profile of staple foods and feed the world's population, according to marketers.

Biotechnology will have a "serious impact on the food industry", predicted Dr David Hughes, emeritus professor of food marketing at Imperial College London.

While food manufacturers had made capital out of their non-GM sourcing policies in the early 1990s, they had toned down their rhetoric, he claimed.

"I don't think they have shot themselves in the foot. It's not too late. If they can demonstrate real benefits attitudes will change," he said.

He believed among the most influential factors would be the development of drought tolerant crops and more sustainable plant sources of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and algae.

Dominic Dyer, the Soya Protein Association's executive secretary, said it was irresponsible and indefensible to dismiss GM's role in boosting crop yields or nutrient quality to meet developing nations' needs. He was echoing recent comments made by EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson.

Dyer added: "It's a bit like nuclear power. People are slowly coming around to the idea that they can't simply dismiss it."

Julian Hunt, communications director at the Food and Drink Federation, said Europe was regarded as an "island refusing to engage in this debate"

Even consumer watchdog group Which! was not opposed to GM on principle, claimed chief policy advisor Sue Davies. "We have never been opposed to GM. I just don't think that we have had a meaningful debate."

Greg Mann, general manager for business development at New Zealand plant breeding expert HortResearch, said: "I think a number of trends are aligning that will make consumers think again about this technology."