Two-thirds in Britain support GM crop testing

Public opinion in Britain has turned in favor of allowing experiments on genetically modified crops, according to a ComRes survey for The Independent. The survey appears to show that resistance to GM crops may be weakening, at least in Britain.

Respondents were asked if the government should encourage GM crop experimentation in order to reduce the amount of pesticides used. Sixty-four percent agreed there should be experimentation, while 23 percent disagreed and 9 percent replied “didn’t know.”

Further breakdown of the results shows that there was a difference in opinion between the answers from men and women. Women were more skeptical and cautious in wanting GM crop experimentation. Seventy percent of men believed these experiments should be encouraged compared with only 58 percent of women.

Scientists in Britain have been trying to slowly gain acceptance in the country for testing of GM crops. The hope is that one day the country will embrace GM technology.

Once again, the opposition to GM stems from the 1990s when environmental activist groups frightened the public with the idea of “Frankenstein foods.”

This study comes just months after demonstrators threatened to break into Rothamsted Research Institute and break up a GM wheat trial. Although the demonstration was relatively peaceful, they were unable to enter the facility and destroy crops. The event was viewed as a win for the scientists.

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Both your headline and your report are completely dishonest. This survey is meaningless, as you must know, since it is based upon a leading question. The pollong irganization and the Independent newspaper should be ashamed of themselves -- and so should you, for giving this lie even more publicity. Whatever happened to journalistic standards?