Chairman's introduction

Abstract

What do I see as the way forward? Procedures and discussion, as we increasingly have in Britain with our guidelines for science advising and policy making, that embrace wide consultation and open discussion. Even more important, I see the need for products that benefit the consumer. It is not that I believe that an emphasis on agri-business is wrong; rather, it is not a good way to motivate people to engage in the debate. When referencing products that benefit the consumer (in the developing world), I mean products that remedy vitamin deficiencies or provide many of the other potential benefits of detail, as well as the transcendent benefit of feeding tomorrow's world. In the developed world, these may be more the kinds of products that address a privileged elite on the globe, who have never had a problem with food. They will be things like nuts without allergies. Ultimately, there might even be a GM apple that will make you thin. Should this occur, modern society is likely to view this as a product that will motivate people to engage.