Every so often there is a flurry of anti-GM noise, usually associated with the announcement of another trial. The arguments are familiar: we don't know the long-term effects (how could we?) and therefore do not know what health or ecological problems could arise.
Of course, mankind has practiced GM for centuries - it's just that the methods available these days are very different to selective breeding and the like. Also there is actually mounting evidence that GM trials have, so far, not resulted in ill-effects, and if well designed can be quickly brought to an end and their effects reversed.
We really should get away from knee-jerk anti-GM reactions and consider the risks and benefits of each trial on its own merits. Release of sterile GM mosquitoes, for instance, should result in lower use of potentially harmful insecticides. Perhaps the modified mosquitoes are the better alternative?
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