Lukewarm response to 'non-science' GM ban
The media response to Tesco's banning of crops grown on former GM trial sites has been decidedly lukewarm. Only the Daily Mail gave it prominence. Most other papers did not report the story, while those that did (Guardian, Express) were careful to include the Government's comments to the effect that this was a "marketing stunt" with no basis in science. Even Tesco has admitted that the new policy is "not about science but the perception of science."
In defence of the decision, Tesco say that their customers "are confused and concerned about the GM issue." The media seem largely unimpressed by this argument, perhaps wondering how a ban with no scientific justification will help to reduce confusion or alleviate concern. Tesco's motives for this move may well be entirely laudable, but given the sceptical response, other supermarket chains may prefer to gain their customers' confidence with policies based on reliable scientific evidence.
