A pro-GM scientist may say: The only difference from a conventional potato is in the DNA/RNA and the protein it codes for.

An anti-GM scientist may say: Genetic engineering is so complex it’s impossible to guarantee the absence of other biochemical permutations.

A pro-GM scientist may say: The protein is broken down in the stomach and small intestine.

An anti-GM scientist may say: The protein may not be broken down and may cause allergies (as have been observed with Bt spray).

A pro-GM scientist may say: The DNA is quickly broken down in the small intestine.

An anti-GM scientist may say: The DNA may hang around long enough to get into the bloodstream or bacteria in the gut.

A pro-GM scientist may say: The consequences are predictable.

An anti-GM scientist may say: The consequences are unpredictable.

There is rarely any such thing as total scientific consensus. Even among scientists, there are different interpretation of the available data. Both camps will draw upon scientific evidence to support their positions. So there must be something even more basic than science that is motivating their reading of the evidence – a fundamental difference in their underlying world views.

Did you know ... ?
Your alimentary canal is four or five times longer than you are tall.

So, what are the opposing views regarding GM food?

The GM scientist’s view:
"Well any change has consequences, I mean you could say exactly the same argument about mobile phones or any new technology, but you have to be realistic about what can happen. If you’re gonna make a criticism of some new technology you have to come up with a plausible mechanism by which it could cause some damage and these guys just haven’t."
Professor Jonathon Jones works at the John Innes Centre in Norwich. His work is on how to prevent crops from succumbing to disease.

The anti-GM protester’s view:
"What’s going to happen if soil bacteria eats a piece of GM crop pollen or if the pollinating insects eat it, or cross pollinate it with another species? We could get superweeds, we could have poisons in the food chain, anything could happen as a result of the GM crop cross pollinating and escaping into the environment."
Jenny Samson is an active member of several environmental groups, organising protest campaigns against GM.