Opponents of genetic modification claimed this week that a company plans to
use British fields to test “terminator technology”. This is a way to stop plants
from reproducing unless farmers apply special chemicals to switch on key genes.
Swiss-based Syngenta agreed to honour a promise made by its predecessor, Zeneca,
not to develop such a technology. Now it has applied for permission to run an
experiment in oilseed rape fields in Berkshire, to see if ethanol can alter gene
expression. Marcus Williamson, who edits an anti-GM website, claims Syngenta is
planning to test terminator technology. The company denies this. It…
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