Letter: Feeble GM crops

Sir: We should not be surprised to learn that GM corps need just as many chemicals and have unreliable yields (report, 8 July).

If you distort the genetic foundations of a living organism (such as a cotton, maize or soya plant) its physiology will be impaired and it will more easily succumb to environmental stresses. Such plants will not thrive unless they are shored up by pesticides and will be prone to failure.

I have heard, repeatedly, the claim that there is nothing to be concerned about in releasing GMOs into our environment because they are weakened and will not be able to compete nor "run wild". Is it sensible, then, to base our staple food supplies on GM crops?

JOANNA CLARKE

Glasgow