Scientists attack government handling of GM crops debate

More than 100 scientists have written to Prime Minister Tony Blair criticising the way the Government has handled the national debate on GM crops, it was reported today.

Some of the UK's leading researchers have reportedly joined together to attack ministers for failing to correct "misleading" claims from groups opposed to GM technology.

The scientists have been left "thoroughly demoralised" by the silence of the Government in the face of damning, but inaccurate, criticism of bio-technology, the BBC reported.

The researchers were said to be confident that the scientific argument in favour of GM crops had been won but feared that the PR battle was lost

Downing Street said today it had received the letter and would be responding in "due course".