The final report of the United Kingdom's Foresight project on Global Food and Farming Futures is now available. It provides an overview of the evidence and discusses the challenges and choices made by policy makers and others with regards to all aspects of the global food system. The document was commissioned by the chief scientific adviser of the UK, Mr. John Beddington. It involves 400 scientists from 34 countries worldwide who elaborated on the problems of food supply and security and the role that GM technology played. The report concluded that:

• Economic investment in research in modern technologies is essential.
• The cost if these new technologies are not used must be taken into account when making decisions about using them.
• GM technology is not the only way to meet the challenges of future agricultural and food products, but is a key element in the mix of technologies and techniques needed to meet future challenges.
• GM technology should be judged based on scientific arguments, analyzing what this technology can offer and taking into account the wider benefits.

Access the report at http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/bispartners/foresight/docs/food-and-farming/11-546-future-of-food-and-farming-report.pdf