Biotechnology can help to reduce water use, soil erosion and emissions that add to climate change. And GM plants could offer gains to consumers with added nutritional value or with pharmaceutical properties incorporated into them. Promise of biotechnology Mr Shapiro acknowledged the concerns biotechnology aroused in terms of safety, environmental impacts, its effects on farmers and consumer choice. It was not environmentalists and the media who had turned opinion against GMOs, he said. A well-informed public have taken a clear look at what you are offering and have said 'no'.
People are increasingly mistrustful of big science and big business.
The coming worldwide rejection of GM food shows people acting in line with civilised values and feelings about our relationship with nature. Peter Melchett said Monsanto came across as bullies trying to force their products on people. Everything about GM foods was bad and the future lay instead with organic agriculture, he added. Whether debate or dialogue, the encounter between Peter Melchett and Bob Shapiro showed just how convinced each side is of its fundamental morality. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.