GM
Science Review: Overview
A distinct part of the national dialogue was to consider the current
state of the science behind GM issues, at the time.
The Science review was led by Professor Sir David King (the Government's
Chief Scientific Adviser) working with Professor Howard Dalton (the
Chief Scientific Adviser to the Secretary of State for the Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs), with independent advice from the Food Standards
Agency.
The objectives were:
- to allow the interests and concerns of the public to drive the
review
- to allow ready access to science concerning GM
- to allow ready access to the evidence based opinions of people
and organisations on the science
The scientific community and members of the public with scientific
views were invited to submit contributions, which have been placed
on this dedicated web site. Open meetings were also arranged where
scientists discussed aspects of key scientific issues before an
audience, who were given an opportunity to ask questions.
The expert Science Review Panel, chaired by Professor Sir David
King, had two principal functions: to monitor the progress and credibility
of the Science Review and, towards the end of the review, summarise
the state of scientific knowledge, consensus and areas of uncertainty
on each key issue. The panel operated in an open and transparent
way; it met in public. The draft report inviting comments, as well
as the final summary report, were placed on this website. The reports
were written for Government, for the Scientific Community, and for
the interested public, and with public accessibility in mind.
The topic areas under review in the forum are those widely debated
by the science community, stakeholders and the regulatory authorities.
After the Panel published its First Report, it reconvened
to consider any further significant scientific developments that
it should address - including consideration of the GM crop Farm-scale
Evaluation results, any scientific issues arising from the report
of the GM Public Debate, "GM Nation?", and the comments
on its first report and later submissions to the website Forum.
The conclusions were published in the Second
Report on 22 January 2004.
For further information see:
For further information on the three strands of the GM Dialogue
see this page. For further
information on the membership and proceedings of the Scientific
Review Panel see this page.
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