GM protesters are 'no heroes'

GM food protesters make their point

Tony Blair has warned anti-GM food and animal rights protesters that the government will not tolerate "blackmail and intimidation".

To make heroes of people who are preventing basic scientific research taking place is wrong

Tony Blair

The prime minister told an audience of bio-scientists that protesters would not be allowed to wreck important research.

He acknowledged there were "legitimate concerns" about new technologies such as genetically-modified foods but these should not prevent scientists carrying out their work.

There was a danger that "anti-scientific" attitudes would rob Britain of its lead in cutting edge technologies, he added.

"Discovering truth"

Addressing the European bioscience conference in London, Mr Blair said: "There is a danger, almost unintentionally, that we become anti-science.

"Our conviction about what is natural or right should not inhibit the role of science in discovering the truth - rather it should inform our judgement about the implications and consequences of the truth science uncovers."

He said that developments in biotechnology, which could see cures for killer diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease, depended upon research being able to take place.

Protesters want all animal tests banned

"Some times it is controversial, as with GM crops or animal testing. Such research is rightly strictly regulated.

"But this government will not tolerate blackmail, even physical assault, by those who oppose it," he said.

"To do so would be to give in to intimidation. To stand by as a successful British science once more ends up being manufactured abroad."

He said he had an "open mind" on GM foods and accepted there were legitimate concerns.

However, he added: "To make heroes of people who are preventing basic scientific research taking place is wrong. It is to substitute aggression for argument."

Stem cell research

Mr Blair said that people had to recognise that in controversial areas such as stem cell research there could be "more than one morally acceptable outcome".

While some people were opposed to all forms of embryo research on ethical grounds, stem cell research had the potential to improve quality of life for those suffering from disease and there were strong ethical arguments in favour of it going ahead, Mr Blair argued.

There needed to be a "far more considered rational dialogue" between scientists and the public if people were to accept the need for continuing research and development, he added.

Apart from the benefits in terms of tackling disease, biotechnology also offered the prospect of massive economic and commercial gains for Britain.

British lead

By 2005 the European biotechnology market was expected to be worth $100bn and employing up to three million people.

While British companies were in the lead in Europe other countries such as Germany were catching up fast.

The Government has gone to great lengths in the past to support the development of GM crops - against the wishes of the majority of people in this country

Peter Riley, Friends of the Earth

"Biotechnology is the next wave of the knowledge economy and I want Britain to become its European hub," Mr Blair said.

"I want to make it clear we don't intend to let our leadership fall behind and are prepared to back that commitment with investment."

Impact on environment

Friends of the Earth said Mr Blair needed to consider the impact of biotechnology, especially genetically-modified foods, on the environment.

And spokesman Pete Riley said: "The government has gone to great lengths in the past to support the development of GM crops - against the wishes of the majority of people in this country.

"They need to be sure of what they are doing, and with this new and untested technology they are putting all their eggs in one basket."

But Mr Riley stressed that Friends of the Earth was not "anti-science" and welcomed developments in medicine and other biotechnology fields.