BBC News: GM beet ‘can benefit environment’

Some genetically-modified crops can be managed in a way that is beneficial to wildlife, a UK research team believes.

But wait there’s more…

The study, Management Of GM Herbicide-tolerant Sugar Beet For Spring And Autumn Environmental Benefit, was funded in 2001 and 2002 by a consortium of GM industry interests, the Association of Biotechnology Companies (ABC).

But the researchers say they accepted the support on condition that they could publish their work with no restrictions or reference to the ABC.

Fair enough. The research is being carried out by Broom’s Barn Research Station which is part of Rothamsted Research.

Let’s have a look at some of Rothamsted Research’s senior management:

Dr David Evans
“He joined ICI Agrochemicals in 1989 as Research General Manager and after demerger became Director of Research and Development of Zeneca (later AstraZeneca) Agrochemicals. Following merger with Novartis in 2000, he was appointed Head of Research & Technology and member of the Executive Committee of Syngenta International AG, based in Basel, Switzerland.”

and…

Professor Sarah Gurr
Her collaborations with industry and research stations include Aventis, Dow Agrosciences, Syngenta, Stiefel, Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research and Rothamsted Research.

The research may be above board and the researchers claim no allegiance with the ABC. But Rothamsted Research has some close links to industry.