UK NATIONAL CONSENSUS CONFERENCE ON PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY

Plant biotechnology is expected to revolutionize the way our agricultural and food systems operate in years to come. However, public support has to be maintained to ensure the success of any new technology. The first UK consensus conference on plant biotechnology was held in London in November 1994, where this subject was discussed at great length. Members of the public questioned experts in the field as well as opponents and advocates of the technology using what seemed like a judge and jury system. The issues discussed at the conference are reported in this Feature article, as well as the outcome according to the panel chosen to 'judge'.