FORESIGHT has been conspicuous by its absence in the unfolding revolution in genetic modification. That applies not only to agribiotech companies, which might perhaps be understandable, but to governments as well. Both arrogantly assumed that consumers would accept foreign genes in crops without debate. They soon came to regret it. In the light of this, it would be good to think that lessons had been learned about keeping the public informed and backing policy with good science.
Now our fields are about to be graced by crops that contain genes for pharmaceuticals. “Pharming”, as it’s known, is an appealing idea…
