When GM crops first hit the headlines, the science provoked a strong reaction from both politicians and members of the public. Now as molecular science has developed, there is a surge of interest in gene editing.
As time has worn on and no one has died from eating GM food as well as many people now being protected from keeling over with covid after being injected with a GM based vaccine, the clamour of opposition has melted away.
The Precision Breeding Bill, introduced this past week by the UK Government would allow gene editing but unless there is a change in attitude by the Scottish Government to such work it will only be allowed South of the Border.
Apart from the Scottish Government seeming to have a knee jerk opposition to most things suggested by Westminster, there is widespread support for the Bill with farming leaders pointing to possible benefits.
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If the Scottish Government continues with its opposition to any ‘editing’ we could be in the strange situation of English farmers possibly benefitting from scientific developments emerging from Scottish research stations while Scottish farmers are left looking over their proverbial farm gates.
