Prince Charles blasts genetically modified food claims

LONDON – DAILY MAIL

Prince Charles yesterday launched an all-out challenge to the British Government's claims that genetically modifed food is safe. In an article for the Daily Mail, he was scathing about the lack of independent scientific research into GM crops.

He also feared the absence of stringent regulations covering their cultivation.

The prince ridiculed as emotional blackmail the government's argument that GM food could help prevent global hunger.

He asked what would happen and who would be held responsible if something went wrong with a GM crop.

The prince reserved his strongest condemnation for the uncheckable dangers of pollution or cross-contamination. "Since bees and the wind don't obey any sort of rules – voluntary or statutory – we shall soon have an unprecedented and unethical situation in which one farmer's crops will contaminate another's against his will," he said.

The prince questioned the very necessity of growing GM food.

"The benefits, such as there are, seem to be limited to the people who own the technology and the people who farm on an industrialised scale," he said.

On safety, Prince Charles was unequivocal. "Only independent scientific research, over a long period, can provide the final answer," he said.

The prince derided claims that GM crops were the only way to feed the world's growing population, asking "Is there any serious academic research to substantiate such a sweeping statement?"

The evidence was the opposite, he said.

In another move likely to irritate the government, Prince Charles is to meet Dr Arpad Pusztai, whose research ignited fears over GM food. He said rats fed GM potatoes suffered damage to their immune systems.