The Royal Society has drawn a panel of scientific experts and came up with a guide titled Genetically Modified (GM) Plants: Questions and Answers. The guide addresses 18 important questions asked by the general public about GM crops, based on the results of a survey. These questions include:

• What is genetic modification (GM) of crops and how is it done?
• How does GM differ from conventional plant breeding?
• What GM crops are currently being grown and where?

"The answers draw on a wide range of evidence and give some specific examples. In general, it is important to recognise that when the GM method is used, the crops produced should be assessed on a case by case basis. GM is a method, not a product in itself. Different GM crops have different characteristics and it is impossible, from a scientific point of view, to make a blanket statement that all GM is good or bad," said Venki Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society.

Download a copy of the guide from The Royal Society.