GM Nation? - the UK's public debate on GM crops
In July 2002, the Government announced that it would have a broad public debate on the future of GM crops and food in the UK which was called 'GM Nation?'. The results of this public debate were intended to be taken into account in the decision-making by the Government for any future GM policy.
The public debate was launched in parallel with studies to consider the economics and science of GM crops. The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit considered the Costs and Benefits of GM crops in its economic study, and the Chief Scientist's GM Science Review Panel considered the scientific evidence. The findings of the farm-scale evaluations (FSEs) as well as a report by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission's (AEBC) on coexistence of GM with non-GM farming, and liability for economic or environmental damage were also used to inform decision making.
GeneWatch published a series of briefings to help people engage in the debate, took part in public meetings and published two reports about the process to help any future process work better.
Resources
- Links
- Press Releases
- GeneWatch PR: Global Coalition Sounds the Alarm on Synthetic Biology,Demands Oversight and Societal Debate 19th May 2006
- GeneWatch PR: UK Government ignores science, Parliament and public concerns on GM crops. GeneWatch UK response to the Government's GM policy announcement 9th March 2004
- GeneWatch PR: Leaked document reveals GM crop growing to go ahead. Government plans presentational strategy. 12th February 2004
- GeneWatch PR: The GM debate: learning the lessons. 22nd October 2003
- GeneWatch PR: Time for Government to act on public concerns and halt the commercialisation 24th September 2003
- GeneWatch PR: No good reason to pursue GM crop commercialisation in the UK now: GeneWatch UK response to Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report on GM crops 11th July 2003
- GeneWatch PR: NGOs Agree Main Issues in GM Debate 2nd June 2003
- GeneWatch PR: Food Standards Agency Hides Unanimous Findings Of Citizens' Jury That GM Crops Should Not Be Grown In The UK Now - GeneWatch UK Challenges The FSA To Come Clean 9th May 2003
- GeneWatch PR: GM Public Debate 'meaningless' unless Government halts GM commercialisation decisions 3rd March 2003
- GeneWatch PR: Should Britain grow GM crops? Michael Meacher opens first public debate 6th February 2003
- Reports
-
Avoiding the difficult issues. A GeneWatch UK report on the Government's response to the GM Nation? public debate.
1st June 2004
- UK Government GM crops policy
- GM Science Review - Second Report
-
GM Nation? Engaging People in Real Debate? A GeneWatch UK report on the GM Nation? process
1st October 2003
- Field Work: Weighing up the costs and benefits of GM Crops. Prime Minsiter's Strategy Unit
-
Avoiding the difficult issues. A GeneWatch UK report on the Government's response to the GM Nation? public debate.
- GeneWatch briefings
- GM Debate Briefing - GM Animals: Do The Ends Justify The Means? 1st July 2003
- GM Debate Briefing - GM Research: Who Decides? 1st June 2003
- GM Debate Briefing - Who Should Pay if Things Go Wrong with GM Crops and Food? 1st February 2003
- GM Debate Briefing- Can GM and Non-GM Farming Co-exist in the UK? 1st February 2003
- GM Debate Briefing - GM crops and foods: good for your health? 1st December 2002
- GM Debate Briefing - GM food: your right to choose? 1st December 2002
- GM Debate Briefing - GM Crops: Environmental Saviour or New Form of Pollution? 1st December 2002
- GM Debate Briefing - GM Crops: Bringing Hope to the Starving? 1st December 2002