GM and plant science

Discussions about genetic modification were polarised and often incoherent at the start of this millennium. Scientists and scientific evidence became marginalised and much of Sense About Science’s work, as a newly formed charity in 2002, was to bring good science to the debate.

During 2003, Sense About Science was very active on this issue, and you can read about the various projects we ran by following the links below.

A letter to the Prime Minister
October 2003
Scientists’ responses to Farm Scale Evaluations of GM crops

Public-good plant breeding
May 2003
An international discussion at the Natural History Museum

Biotechnology and hunger
May 2003
A parliamentary talk by Dr Gordon Conway

Vandalism of crop research sites
October 2003
A survey on vandalism of crop research across the UK

GM crop systems and benefits for wildlife
January 2003
A spraying technique that promises environmental benefits

Last updated: June 09 2006

Sense About Science is an independent charitable trust promoting good science and evidence in public debates. We do this by promoting respect for evidence and by urging scientists to engage actively with a wide range of groups, particularly when debates are controversial or difficult. We work with scientists to respond to inaccuracies in public claims about science, medicine, and technology; promote the benefits of scientific research to the public; help those who need expert help contact scientists about issues of importance; brief non-specialists on scientific developments and practices. Sense About Science is governed by a Board of Trustees and run by a small office staff. We are supported by an Advisory Council and some 1,000 scientists and other specialists, ranging from Nobel Laureates to postdoctoral fellows, who are signed up to our database, Evidence Base. We also work with younger scientists in our VoYS (Voice of Young Science) programme, which you can read more about here.

Talk to plant scientists

If your organisation would like to talk to a plant scientist about genetically modified plants or any other issue related to this field, call Sense About Science on

020 7478 4380

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