The people of Switzerland have been voting in a referendum on whether to ban genetic engineering -- an issue which correspondents say has divided the nation.

Environmentalists and animal rights activists oppose the research because they say it is tampering with nature, and does not necessarily result in medical breakthroughs.

But the pharmaceutical and medical lobbies say it is safe, and that a ban would in effect stop research into diseases such as cancer and Aids.

The BBC correspondent in Geneva says the federal government shares the scientists' concerns, but will have to accept whatever the people decide.