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Medical progress at stake in GM animals debate, warns Royal Society

July 01, 2002

The UK could be left behind in the race to develop new treatments for diseases because the scientific community is in danger of being drowned out by pressure groups in the public debate about GM animals, the Royal Society warned today (10 June 2002).

Ahead of a public meeting on 'GM animals: pros and cons' to be held at the Royal Society on 12 June, Professor Patrick Bateson, Vice President of the Royal Society, warned that protest groups are trying to persuade the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission to reject GM animal research in its report to the Government later this summer.

Professor Bateson said: "Scientists need to make sure that the public have access to all the facts in this debate, including a realistic appraisal of the benefits as well as an honest assessment of the risks to animal welfare and the environment. We know that animals such as the mouse share many of the genes found in humans. Animals that can be genetically modified are increasingly important in understanding human diseases, such as cancer, muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis, and in assessing new therapies that one day may relieve the suffering of millions of patients.

"Those who are morally opposed to this research attempt to impose on the rest of society their views that GM technology is a sinister new twist in humanity's quest to conquer nature. Even so, most people recognise that we have been genetically engineering animals for thousands of years through selective breeding, and that this has been essential to our own progress. The new techniques of genetic modification are much more precise and should help scientists to avoid many adverse effects on animal welfare.

"Scientists share the concerns of the rest of society that GM animals should be subject to the same stringent regulations that govern the welfare of any animals used in research, and that their uncontrolled release into the environment should be prevented to protect our existing wildlife.

Professor Bateson added: "Scientists engaged in research involving GM animals have these concerns in the forefront of their minds. And they understand that public support for their work depends on demonstrating that adequate safeguards are in place and that there are substantial potential benefits to be gained. They must communicate this clearly to prevent those who are manning the barriers to progress from closing off open debate about what sort of world we want to live in."

Royal Society, The

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