The potential of Genetically Modified Crops in the United Kingdom.

1 | P a g e L u c i l l e G i l p i n .

The potential of Genetically Modified Crops in the United Kingdom.

Lucille Gilpin. [email protected]

UK population is projected to increase by 9.7 million over the next 25 years (ONS, 2015), with 40% of

our food being imported (Lang, 2016), the UK is in an insecure position. Global demand to feed a

growing and richer population is increasing faster than supply (Benton, 2012; Elferink & Schierhorn,

2016); competition for food is increasing prices and decreasing availability. The lack of global food

security means UK food production needs to escalate; our aim in the UK should be to increase self-

sufficiency. This report will explain how genetically modified (GM) crops are one of the best ways to

accomplish this in agricultural production.

By looking at the growths of UK’s population over the past two decades, we can see how agriculture

has reacted. In the 19th Century the invention of the plough increased production dramatically, and

through mechanisation and fertilisers in the 20th Century (Ford, 2002). What will the 21st Century

solution be? Food production needs to increase further but on a more sustainable level, using fewer

resources along with the enormous challenges of climate change (GOS, 2011; EPA, 2016), GM crops

is the answer to this problem (Bonham, 2015). If we fail to get more from the land sustainably, we

must face the alternatives, humans will go unfed or we reclaim wilderness land, leaving the land and

industry in a much worse state for future generations.

Britain will need to develop its own technology, specific to our environment, climate and needs of

relevant crops, existing GM crops will not be of use, our biotechnology institute and private

companies will be required to develop specific GM crops for the UK. Wheat, for example is the most

produced crop in the UK (DEFRA & ONS, 2015) but for four years in succession the UK has been a net

importer (Statista, 2016), importing £276 million of unmilled wheat in 2015 (DEFRA, 2016). GM

technology needs to be developed, allowing self-sufficiency to be achieved, as imports should not be

relied upon for long term use. Such as what is being developed at Sainsbury Laboratory, late blight

(Phytophthora infestans) resistant potatoes. These are ready to undergo a small field trial in the next

3 years (ACRE, 2016); it exhibits 3 different types of resistance to blight, one of which was

responsible for the Great Irish famine (Jones, 2016).

This trial and ones like it have only got to this stage because of legislation support from the

government and economic backing from private business. Former Prime and Environment Ministers

have been vocally supportive of genetically modified organisms (GMO) since 2012 (Warmflash &


Entine, 2016), only the future will tell the views of our new PM Theresa May. She is economically

driven shown by the closure of the climate change department (DECC, 2016), her view will support

GM development; with its great potential to increase the economical position of agriculture, while it

will require great investment. Interestingly, of global GM research, 80% of the total spend is by

private firms (Food Ethics Council, 2003); this strongly affects the technology developed and the

premium price to be paid. This ownership of the innovative technology is a strong subject for anti

GM groups (Savage, 2015), many of whom are not concerned by GM in itself, but by corporate

control of the food chain (Fisher, 2016). Opponents claim only private firms will gain from GM and

not the British public. Governance and regulation is key if this technology is to excel to its full

potential, regulation will be addressed later on in this report.

Anti GM activists have many problems with GMO’s e.g. meddling with nature, producing

Frankenstein foods (Daily Mail, 2015). The lack of understanding has caused this, with too few

people stop to check plausible facts (Glassman, 2015). Therefore, headlines are produced evoking

fear, with many developing an opinion, based on this inaccurate information (Vegter, 2014).

Education is the problem; we have been producing Frankenstein food for decades (Ford, 2002) as in

public parks most trees are grafted on, the same concept of Frankenstein. Furthermore, the public

do not fully appreciate the problems it can solve as with shop shelves full of food, how can there be

a shortage? This is slowly evolving with the knowledgeable Millennials generation coming through

and people being more aware of food security and agronomic problem.

This must be the case as GM products are already being incorporated into our diet with

supermarkets like Tesco, Co-Op and Marks and Spencer no longer require poultry to be fed on GM-

free feed from April 2013 (Gene Watch UK, 2016). British supermarkets are seeing the advantage of

this technology and are willing to use it within their market share, products are still in growth and

stabilised at a low price (Fortune, 2015), regardless that most people were unaware of the GM feed

(FSA, 2013). Furthermore, the EU is the biggest importer of GM grain (Warmflash & Entine, 2016).

These imports of GM will only be made stronger with potential US or Canada (Department for

International Trade, 2015) trade agreement. Especially since the product will tried and tested under

2 international governance legislations. Foreign efficiency on these crops will benefit UK imports but

will hinder self-sufficiency of Britain, these markets cannot be relied on for long term crop security,

just as China has recognised and placed a strategy to become self-sufficient (ISAAA, 2009).


Food labelling is a massive concern to the public as shown by the horse meat scandal (The Guardian,

2013), as well as the extensive conflict in the US on this subject (Monsanto, 2016). Britain needs

public support to create this market, consequently food labelling options are a top priority (Millar,

2016). The EU regulation 1829/2003 & 1830/2003 requires traceability & labelling of all GM food

and feed which contains or consists of GMOs (European Union, 2016). The Food Standards Agency

research found most of the “participants were typically not seeking information or labelling with

regard to GM foods” (FSA, 2013). Nonetheless the British government aims to ensure clear GM

labelling rules as stated in the 2010 to 2015 government policy paper (DEFRA, 2015). But Britain

currently has no idea on what these rules will be. Potentially in relation to the US situation on GM

labeling (Monsanto, 2016), which will affect the US partnership with Britain. Either way the GM

campaign needs the public on its side, ensuring the industry is invested in and a consumer market is

evolved.

GM crops benefit the environment and sustainability (ISAAA, 2016) for consumers and famers in

many ways, such as reducing pesticides, saving on fossil fuels & decreasing CO2 emissions. The John

Innes Centre is creating wheat crops capable of absorbing substantial amounts of atmospheric

nitrogen. These developments are highly beneficial to the UK agriculture industry, allowing

sustainable & economic produce. Gene flow is a potential problem with GM, transfer can occur from

GMO to non-GMO plants, forming herbicide resistant weeds or into other non-GM crops causing

contamination (compensation will be required (Gene Watch UK, 2015)). Herbicide resistant weeds

can also occur by mutations, through overuse of an active ingredient, some survive to reproduce,

multiplying the problem (Walport & Rothwell, 2013). This was a problem prior to GM’s invention,

due to overreliance on one strategy and natural selection (Brazeau, 2014). Introduction of an IPM

plan to halt undesired reproduction is an easy solution; physical methods for example can very

quickly eradicate these problems.

There is also an argument of biodiversity, with non-target species being affected but with the

decreasing amount of pest and herbicides used biodiversity will increase. Rothamsted Institute is

attempting to combat this argument further, through testing a GE wheat variety, designed to

express a pheromone deterring aphid infestation (Bruce, et al., 2015), reducing the amount of

pesticide needed & discouraging rather than killing pests, this technology is supported by wildlife

organisations (RSPB, 2013).


Public health is a significant concern in GM, regardless that there have been no reported ill effects,

despite media influences (Key, et al., 2008; DEFRA, 2010; The Royal Society, 2016). The first GM

crop was sold in 1994, disallowing sufficient time for long term (>21 year) experiments on human

health effects, causing a gap in the knowledge. A human experiment model, with observations on

large numbers extending over many years would be ideal. Brian Ford (2002) states this current

experiment is ongoing: “they are called Americans”. The UK cannot wait for such long term results

(50+ years), as food insecurity will prevail. Until then scientists will have to be trusted to allow these

products onto the market (DEFRA, 2010). Unfortunately, public uncertainty especially around GM’s

possible carcinogenic compounds, creates perceived risk on a mass scale (Glassman, 2015), hence

the hatred towards GMOs. Although on farm worker’s health has dramatically increased especially

the respiratory system, due to lack of chemicals. The government, scientist and institutions need to

communicate science clearly, reinstating public confidence in food and the social institutions of

government, science, and industry (DEFRA, 2010). The safety assessments are currently carried out

by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) but will progress to the UK Food Standards Agency

post Brexit (DEFRA, 2010).

One of the potential problems is toxicity and allergenicity to GM crops, as there is an additional or

altered gene (Lim, 2014). Animal models are usually used to for screen this, therefore with this

rigorous testing GM technology could potentially be used to decrease allergens in food e.g. soy

(Allergy UK, 2015). GM can also directly benefit health through bio fortification, targeting specific

deficiencies in populations and modifying the plant to supply this. Golden rice is a prime example,

specifically targeting the production of B-carotene (used to combat Vitamin A) in deficient prone

areas in Asia (Tang, et al., 2012) (this technology is not currently in use due to other conflicts). Bio

fortification can be used to solve many health problems in Britain such as the folate, Vitamin D or

iodine deficiency’s we are prone to.

More recently the EU has been accepting New Breeding Technology (NBT), where unwanted traits in

a plant can be reduced (Bruins, 2016), such as enhancing nutrient content, reduction of oxidation

and bruising, and improve colour, odour, flavour and texture (Bruins, 2016). With the lack of foreign

DNA being added, the EU (ultimately the UK) cannot decide if it is GMO (postponed since the end of

2015 (Michalopoulos, 2016), essentially will it follow GMO legislation or easier standard crop

legislation. In May 2015, Argentina classed it as modern technology and is reviewing it on a case by

case basis (NFU, 2016). NBT has a much better public perception as no foreign DNA is added, but

with great potential benefits, being quick, easy and cheap to produce.


In 2008, the global gain production for the 4 principal biotech crops of soybean, maize, cotton and

canola was 29 600 million kilograms, which would have required 10.5 million additional hectares had

biotech crops not been deployed (ISAAA, 2009). Can we afford to miss out on this innovative

technology? There are no limits in what could be achieved with genetically modified technology;

Britain would increase self-sufficiency, whilst maintaining food security and affordability. There are

few scientists that understand the technology and disagree with it as shown in The UK Government’s

Food 2030 study (2010) backed up by The Royal Society. Scientific, financial and political support for

genetically modified crops is required, with responsible, rigorous and efficient regulatory systems

put in place by the Food Standards Agency. The New Breeding Technology will be developed and

excel in post Brexit Britain, before allowing genetically modified crops to be commercialised. In

conclusion the UK will become a strong competitor in the global crop market, becoming more self-

sufficient with a sustainable approach, making a stronger United Kingdom.


List of abbreviations.

ACRE - Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment

DECC - Department of Energy & Climate Change

DEFRA - Department of Environment Food & Rural Affairs

FSA - Food Standards Agency

GM – Genetically Modified

GMO – Genetically Modified Organism

ISAAA - International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications

NBT – New Breeding Technology

NFU – National Farmers Union

ONS – Office of National Statistics

RSPB - Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.


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