Nature Biotechnology responds

Nature Biotechnology unequivocally condemns the illegal actions of those who engage in intimidation and who vandalize legitimate cultivations of transgenic crops on private property. Those who are involved in such criminal acts should be prosecuted under the judicial system.

Our editorial sought to address the problem that round-the-clock police protection and surveillance of transgenic crop plantings is impractical, given the resources and time involved. Given the difficulties faced by police and the rather mixed track record of the judicial system in handing down stiff sentences to those found guilty of such offenses, how then should open democratic societies, such as France, respond to a small but significant minority who persist in this type of criminal activity?

Our answer is that any tacit public support that exists for such individuals should be marginalized to the extent that the actions of such people are no longer tolerated. Make no mistake, this is a battle for the hearts and minds of the public, and biotech must clearly be on the side of the angels. In this regard, openness and transparency are key. Making the locations of trials of transgenic crops secret or even opaque merely plays into the hands of activists by making it appear that the government and the growers have something to hide.

Unfortunately, recent statements from the French environment minister, Jean-Louis Borloo, have suggested that his government may acquiesce to pressure for a moratorium of GM crops from José Bove and his acolytes. According to the French newspaper Le Monde, a freeze is reportedly planned on all transgenic crop trials1. In September, French representatives to the European Council of Ministers also abstained from voting on the import approval of three transgenic maize lines; the veto could hinder current negotiations on the extension of approval for MON810 corn—currently the only transgenic crop approved for cultivation in France.

As Nature Biotechnology went to press, a public consultation process about transgenic crops was underway in 15 French cities and on the internet. In addition, a working group on genetically modified organisms has been set up to discuss new legislation oriented towards transparency and the freedom of choice for farmers and for consumers and potentially the establishment of an independent national advisory body.