The Duke of Edinburgh has provoked criticism and put himself at odds with his son by playing down fears of genetically modified foods. The Duke is quoted as saying that the introduction of foreign species, such as the grey squirrel, has already caused more damage to the UK's environment than could be caused by GM crops. The introduction of the grey squirrel into this country is going to or has done far more damage than a genetically modified piece of potato The Duke of Edinburgh Ever since people started selective breeding animals and plants have been genetically modified, he said. And environmental campaigners, Friends of the Earth said his argument did not hold water. Prince Philip's comments came in response to a lecture made at Windsor Castle by the Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks.
People are worried about genetically modified organisms getting into the environment.
The director of Friends of the Earth, Charles Secrett, said the Duke had undermined himself in the example he chose. The Duke has hit the nail on the head when he talks about the effect the grey squirrel had on the countryside. If we had stopped to test the effects of this particular genetic import we would never have allowed it to establish itself. Earlier this month, the Princess Royal spoke out in favour of GM foods. But last month the Prince of Wales used his contribution to the BBC Reith Lectures to restate his long-standing opposition to GM foods.