UK study finds GM food safe, encourages further research 

The report, released on 21 July, emphasises, however, that GM is "not a single homogeneours technology and its applications need to be considered on a case-by case basis". In addition, the report identifies areas in which more scientific research is needed, including allergenicity, soil ecology, farmland biodiversity and consequences of gene flow.

The results of the review are released only a month after ex-environment minister Michael Meacher accused the UK government of ignoring some official scientific concerns about the health hazards of GM food (see also

EurActiv, 24 June 2003).

The GM Science Review was prepared at the request of Agriculture Secretary Margaret Beckett and it complements the ongoing "GM Nation" debate and a previous report by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit on the costs and benefits of GM crops.