Although this is a common confusion in media and superficial public debate, Genetic Modification (GM) is not the same as Selective Breeding (SB). Indeed, the more rapacious of the multinational agricultural companies rely on the positive image of good selective breeding to sell the quite different artificial modification of plant and animal (and human - even if inadvertently?) genetic construction that is genetic modification.

GM carries with it all the dangers of reliance upon specific fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides of monocultures (and the consequent market monopolies and extinguishing of diversity and chloice). It also alters one facet of the enmeshed process of life without enough knowledge of or due regard for the consequences, both intended and unintended. Once GM is widely implemented there is no way back, so let's do the due diligence upfront, scrupulously, and transparently.

I do feel some sympathy for scientists who believe in the potential benefits of GM, and who naively cling to the belief that it will be alright as long as all aspects of the process are conducted with a clear commitment to the "good of all humanity" - but sadly this ignores the human and market imperitives of greed and profit that invariably pollute the process.

I'm all for sensible SB, and equally all for extreme restraint with GM.