GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS ARE THEY SAFE?
ARE THEY NECESSARY?

Leading national speakers to brief the public at conference in Harpenden

On 20th May a distinguished panel of nationally and internationally renowned scientists and environmentalists will speak at a public conference in Harpenden designed to reflect the high level of local concern at the 'back-door' introduction of genetically engineered food into our diet.

SPEAKERS:

Dr Mae Wan-Ho, Reader in Biology at the Open University; a geneticist and author who has highlighted the risks of genetically engineered food from the perspective of the known dangers of the actual biological processes that are involved. Her latest book is entitled Genetic Engineering: Dream or Nightmare? . She is a regular speaker at international conferences.

Patrick Holden, Director of the Soil Association, one of Britain's most prominent and committed campaigners for organic food and the need for an integrated approach to agriculture.

The Marchioness of Worcester, distinguished environmentalist, Associate Director of the International Society for Ecology and Culture.

Peter Warburton, deputy leader of the Natural Law Party, the first political party to take a clear stand on this issue and to present to the public the scientific evidence of the dangers of genetic modification of food.

Professor Robert Slater, Glaxo-Wellcome Professor for Biomolecular Sciences and Director of Studies for Biosciences at the University of Hertfordshire.

The conference chairman will be Brian J. Ford, C.Biol., F.I.Biol., FLS, Member of Council, Institute of Biology (London) and Society for the Application of Research (Cambridge). He is the author of countless articles and several dozen scientific books, including Microbiology and Food and the Food Book; he is well known as the nationwide presenter of Channel 4's Food for Thought programme.

The conference has been organised by Herts Concern, a newly formed group of local citizens concerned to protect the interests of consumers in this area. Spokesman Patricia Saunders said: "The panel of speakers reflects a broad range of views and expertise, although I must admit that we have not been able to find anyone to speak directly for the proponents of genetically engineered food. We feel this to be an indication that the scientific evidence against it is irrefutable. "Nevertheless, the need for more action on this issue remains undiminished, since more and more of these foods are being introduced and the government is not doing enough to check it. There have already been too many threats to our food supplies from irradiation, salmonella, BSE, over use of antibiotics etc. Scientists and commercial interests should not be allowed to put society at risk. "