The Prince of Wales was accused of launching an ignorant rant about
genetically modified crops last night after claiming that the technology
would cause “the biggest environmental disaster of all time” and lead to “no
food in the future”.
The Prince's comments, in which he blamed GM food and modern agriculture for
environmental and social problems such as climate change and food shortages,
were described by leading scientists as “shockingly ill-informed”.
Plant researchers said that he had completely misunderstood the benefits and
risks of GM crops, which the Prince labelled a “gigantic experiment with
nature and the whole of humanity that has gone seriously wrong”. They also
ridiculed his contention that agricultural biotechnology was contributing to
major challenges such as global warming.
Mike Childs, campaigns director of Friends of the Earth, defended the Prince's
comments, however, saying that GM crops had been exaggerated as a potential
weapon against world hunger.
Prince Charles, a long-time critic of GM crops who accused scientists a decade
ago of meddling in “realms that belong to God and God alone”, made his
comments in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
Though the Government, plant scientists and industry are promoting GM crops as
part of the solution to global food shortages, the Prince said that
biotechnology had already proved itself a dangerous failure. “Why else do
you think we are facing all these challenges, climate change and
everything?” he said.
The role of “gigantic corporations” in food production was leading humanity
towards “absolute disaster”, driving small farmers off their land into
“unsustainable, unmanageable, degraded and dysfunctional conurbations of
unimaginable awfulness”. Today's agriculture was “the classic way of
ensuring that there is no food in the future”, he said.
Food shortages and rising prices should be addressed not by raising production
with high-tech crops that boosted yields, but by adopting methods of farming
that were more in tune with nature.
“What we should be talking about is food security, not food production - that
is what matters and that is what people will not understand. And if they
think it's somehow going to work because they are going to have one form of
clever genetic engineering after another then again count me out, because
that will be guaranteed to cause the biggest environmental disaster of all
time.”
He cited his experiences on visits to Western Australia and the Indian part of
Punjab, which he said were suffering increasing problems from salinity and
water shortage respectively.
But his views were overwhelmingly rejected by scientists, who said that GM
crops were already grown safely by 12 million farmers, 11 million of them in
the developing world.
Alison Smith, Professor of Plant Biochemistry at the John Innes Centre in
Norwich, Britain's leading plant science institute, said she was shocked and
saddened by the Prince's “ill-informed, one-sided and generally negative”
remarks. “He seems to be ranting about GM crops, urbanisation, globalisation
and even hybrid plants. He is inflating fears instead of contributing to
reasoned debate.”
The Prince's claim of a link to climate change was particularly strange,
because the problem predated the planting of the first GM crops by decades,
experts said.
“GM crops are not to blame for climate change, the industrialisation of
agriculture, the spread of dysfunctional conurbations, the salinisation of
Australia or indeed any of the other crimes of which the Prince appears to
accuse them,” Professor Smith said.
Ian Denholm, of Rothamsted Research Institute, said that GM crops promised
solutions to many of the problems for which the Prince blamed them.“No
scientist working in the agricultural sector doubts that the intensification
of cropping over the last 50 or so years, coupled with climate change in
some cases, has led to severe challenges including areas of land becoming
unsuitable for the cultivation of conventional crop varieties. It is
scientifically and morally indefensible not to explore, without prejudice,
GM technology as one possible solution to these problems.”
Mr Childs said, however: “Prince Charles has hit the nail on the head about
the damaging false solution that GM crops present. GM crops will not solve
the food crisis - and forging ahead with an industrialised farming system
will continue to fail people and the environment around the world.”
Julian Little, chairman of the Agricultural Biotechnology Council, an industry
group, linked the Prince's views to his interest in organic farming. “The
Prince is an organic farmer and it's in his interest that organic farming
works,” he said. “There are millions of other farmers whose role is
producing high-quality, affordable food, and they need all the tools that
are available, of which GM is one.”
Phil Willis, the Liberal Democrat chairman of the Commons Innovation,
Universities, Science and Skills committee, said: “While I admire Prince
Charles's commitment to environmental causes, his lack of scientific
understanding and his willingness to condemn millions of people to
starvation in areas like sub-Saharan Africa is absolutely bewildering.”
THE VIEW FROM INDIA AND AUSTRALIA
India's green revolution
Rhys Blakely in Bombay
Few in India are suggesting that its “green revolution” of the 1960s and 1970s
was a mistake. Advances in agricultual methods and the import of new
varieties of rice boosted yields tenfold. The country had been on the brink
of famine but the “miracle rice” allowed it to feed itself. It did come at a
cost.
A recent study in Punjab, the epicentre of the revolution, found that
intensive farming methods have caused a “massive depletion of water reserves
and minerals”. Most worryingly, the revolution has now run out of steam:
economists say India's ability to increase harvests is running at less than
1 per cent a year, lagging behind the 1.5 per cent growth rate of its
population.
Australia's controversy of salt
Sophie Tedmanson in Sydney
In Australia yesterday the Prince's linking of GM crops and modern agriculture
with soil salinity problems drew the condemnation of farmers who said that
he had been “ill-informed”. According to the Australian Academy of Science,
most salt in the Western Australia wheatbelt is believed to come from the
ocean, carried inland by prevailing winds. Andy McMillan, the director of
policy for the Western Australia Farmers Federation, said that it was not in
farmers' interests to overuse the land. He added: “The ironic thing about
Prince Charles's comments is that one of the mitigating factors in
controlling salinity may well be GM crops, which are being developed with
the problem in mind.”
GM technology is not universally bad or good, it should be embraced with caution and used selectively,eg the engineering of salt tolerance to wheat would allow crops to continue to be grown in soils now damaged by high salt levels; the engineering of disease resistance would allow less pesticide use
Richard, Glasgow, UK
GM: Genetically Modified ... or Global Mistake ?
Thierry, Luttre, Belgium
One of the rare times Charlie makes sense and they completely missed the point
Udo, Melbourne, Australia
It's so typical that the vested interests who oppose Prince Charles level the accusation of 'ignorance' at him. HRH has devoted many years of his life to the various aspects of healthy farming. His views are balanced, and are expressed forcefully, but without resort ro insults.
Long may he wave.
Eileen O Conor, Cordoba, Spain
The issue is corporate ownership of the species of seeds themselves. http://notnews.today.com/2008/08/17/prince-must-prove-anti-gm-claim/
David Gerard, London, UK
I back Prince Charles to the hilt.
There is considerable scientific evidence that support the views that GM products are not the solution that they are purported to be.
The biggest benefactor is the same company that spawned the Cervaiso dioxin disaster. Credibility gap?
Richard, Bucharest,
Quote - 'The first known human trial of GM food was carried out by scientists at Newcastle University and published in the journal Nature Biotechnology in 2004. It showed that DNA material transfers from GM food into the human gut – disproving the claims of the biotech industry.'
Sarah, Gtr manchester, UK
So it is Prince Charles' word against Montessanto's word. I would rather go along with Prince Charles who has always defended Nature and not believe politicians who are on the money lobby side. To me, GM crops are equal to some medicines. They should be considered guilty until proven innocent.
Isabelle, Hull, U.K.
I agree with Prince Charles. GM IS a monstrosity with unforeseeable effects. It is simply too dangerous and irresponsible to unleash mutants with who knows what mystery properties into the environment. And also congratulations to Charles for his very commendable work in architecture.
Miguel, San Juan, Puerto Rico
I don't agree with much of what Prince Charles says but on this issue he is correct. GM foods are extremely dangerous and virtually untested on humans. Read Jeffrey M. Smith's books "Seeds of Deception" and "Genetic Roulette" or listen to some of the many radio interviews available on the web.
Jim Calabria, Philadelphia, USA
Prince Charles is right this is a nightmare in progress! The evidence is already out GMO crops are dangerous to humans animals and to all the native species that are not patented! Good onya Charlie.
Ben, Cheshire, England
I respect what Prince Charles said about GM food.It is very right for him to express his honest opinion,because nobody listen to us.I will never eat GM food and rather die of starvation.All GM scientists leave nature alone and stop all these sick practices.
Anna
Anna , Paris, France
Take a good look at Prince Charles. He is HEALTHY. He likes organic foods. GM foods are poison. They cause dire health problems where ever they are used. Instead of using facts, scientists, like a gang of thugs, SHOUTS him down. Read the speeches of the Prince. He is a very intelligent, humane man
Mark McGrew, El Paso, TX, USA
The Prince is absolutely correct, the scientists are just looking to take control of the farming industry at the expense of consumers and farmers.
Peter Fordham, Pego, Spain
The view from Australia I do not share. I'm with the Prince!
Giacomo, Brisbane, Australia
This article speaks for GM "big business" scientists
- what else are they going to say ? Fess up and admit that their technology is destroying family farms all over the world and lining the pockets of greedy shareholders at massive biotech multinationals ? I think not.
Rupert Eden, Seville, Spain
Good on Gharles! He has had some very good ideas over the years, but it is hard for anyone to be ahead of their times, meaning ahead of accepted thought.
margie , victoria , australia
So now he purports to be an expert on GM plants, just as he pretends to be an expert on classical architecture.
Charles' pompous and ignorant declarations are really embarrassing.
Robert Barker, Leeds, England
What your paper really means is scientists who work in GM with an obvious vested interest round on Prince Charles for his 'uninformed views'.
No one with a choice should touch the stuff.
chris, brighton,
Well done Prince Charles for making people think before we head down the one way street to GM crops which are not an answer to food shortages. When farmers were paid subsidies for producing crops we had surpluses. As soon as this govt with EU decided to just pay subs for keeping land tidy-shortages.
Tim, Sherborne, England
The scientists would be better placed if they would find an answer to cutting back the population growth, then there would be no food shortages.
roger pugh, Worcester, UK
HEAR HEAR - MONEY TALKS!!
One only has to think of the pharmaceutical companies!!
Those who oppose Charles here owe their incomes to this business - it's not like they're going to accept any criticism which jeopardises their stock options, is it?
Alan Smithee Jr, Ealing,
TRish Niblock, Edinburgh, Midlothian
If anybody thinks they will end up with cheaper food through GM dream on. This is about business gaining leverage over food production. Mercenary scientists follow and defend the funding. Profit is the objective, we are the guinea pigs and as usual the welfare of the planet is secondary.
Kevin, Leeds,
However, there are scientists who are saying that GM crops are responsible for the disappearence of bees, due to a form of an AIDS like disease. Look up GM and Bees and you will see the science, but these people who disagree arent about to be around when the truth is out. The natural world will die
Alison, Middx, UK
Short-supply or distribution? I'm not convinced high-yield GM crops are a solution to the food problem. For instance, India has been a food-surplus nation for decades now, with millions of tons of surplus foodstock rotting in warehouses each year. But starvation and malnourishment continue unabated
Anil Suri, Durham, UK
So ! We need scientists to help grow more food! When I was young a farmer harvested a field of potatoes -buried them in a 'stook' dug them out ,and sold them throughout the winter, and on into the next year - also with carrots..
These foods from shops now are rotten in a week - Why!
Ronald, Vermenton,
GM crops can grow reliably in poor parts of the world with unreliable rain. They can greatly increase the carbon uptake of trees and biofuel crops. Banning GM foods is a vote for poverty and starvation. How many human lives do the environmentalists want to sacrifice, to save the wild charlock?
Frank Upton, Solihull,
It's not the science that's the problem - it's just business to cut testing time and safety budgets to the minimum needed - but the consequences of cutting them to just a bit below that minimum are rather... wider-ranging... than in other industries.
DodgyKnees the Cynic, Sinope,
I think we're right to be wary of any monopoly, whether in agriculture or computer software. But Prince Charles wrecks this reasonable point by asserting that GM is responsible for such things as global warming. With all his time and resources surely he could take the trouble to learn GCSE science.
Stephen Howell, Broadstairs, England
Follow the money.
Those who oppose Charles here owe their incomes to this business - it's not like they're going to accept any criticism which jeopardises their stock options, is it?
Alan Smithee Jr, Ealing,
I would say that Prince Charles was in the right place to be supremely well informed. He knows that we are all being lied to, I am pretty certain that we are all being lied to and there are many like me who would question the timing of this... Monsanto to save the world. I dont think so.......
Sandy Oliver, Wisbech, UK
Typical Chazza. Strong on identifying problems for other people to solve - preferably in a way that doesn't compromise his privileged lifestyle - but weak on providing solutions to the key issue of how to provide affordable food for a population set to increase by 50% in the next c40 years.
john, Oxford, England
The thing is that organic farming and GM crops have nothing to do with eachother. Organic farming is based on going back to basics, where GM farming industrializes food production. People will make their choices: Tasty or cheap.
M Lowes, Mainz, germany
How about everyone giving Prince Charles support instead of listening to the voices of the people out for personal gain and not the health of the world.Lets have crops grown with out chemicals they will be far safer than GM grown ones and we know that Stand up to the boffins.Try again establishment
Keith, Witney, U.K
Once again Charles is on his hobby horse. This time he's gone way over the top. I think he's gone loopy frankly, slightly barking. Poor old Charles.
John, Chichester, United Kingdom
Pollen from GM oilseed rape will be carried by bees for a 5 km radius, and cause mutations in wild brassicas - weedkiller resistant charlock, mustard etc. Folly. Also Monsanto & co now have GM crops with sterile seeds so farmers in poor countries can't sow from last year's crops. It's war.
John, Péault, France
As usual, his real point is being missed. It isn't to do with GM technology as such. It is the handing of agriculture to a few large corporations. In a world with fewer resources to go around, giving food production to chums of Dick Cheney & Co. doesn't seem like a good idea to me.
Ray Warren, Dartmouth,
Prince Charles Rocks!
Pete, St Albans, England
Surely HRH is overreacting slightly. Has he not heard of the NATURAL disastrous effect of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Hurricanes and Asteroids on the planet earth. These natural
disasters have affected millions of people over the course of the millennia. GM pales by comparison.
Jeanette Amid, Jerusalem, Israel
Why is it that we only hear the "Good research", but the bad parts scientists left out? When are we going to learn ? No thank you to GM foods for me.
Mrs. A, Hungerford, UK
The way that big companies have gone about genetically modifying their crops CAN cause health problems and even kill rat pups of female rats fed GM foods but they suppress and even discredit this research then don't properly test the GM crops they feed us. About time someone high profile spoke up.
Dr Thompson, Auckland,
As a staunch republican the more of Charles I read the more I like him. It’s great that a voice from the ‘establishment’ can speak up about what’s wrong. GM terminal seeds are an affront to life as is the character limit on comments.. "D
Nik, Melbourne, Australia
Seriously...Charles needs to find a new hobby.
Martin , London, ENGLAND
Could these scientists that condemn the prince be the same scientists that are employed by the GM crops industry ?
Mr G, Leeds, :UK
The Prince is entitled to an opinion, just as the manmade global warming catastrophists are entitled to theirs. Opinions, however, are no substitute for scientific facts, but those facts have been supplanted and obscured by quasi-religious beliefs.
Dwight Vandryver, Scholar Green, Cheshire, UK