As stated from the start, the aims and objectives of the science review were:

• to allow the interests and concerns of the public to drive the review
• to allow ready access to science concerning GM
• to allow ready access to the evidence based opinions of people and organisations on the science

The science review has been led by Professor Sir David King (the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser) working with Professor Howard Dalton (the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), with independent advice from the Food Standards Agency. An expert Science Review Panel, chaired by Professor King, has reviewed and summarised the state of scientific knowledge, concerns and areas of uncertainty over GM science issues.

Professor King wrote to members of the science community and interested parties inviting them to participate in the review - see his letter of 29 November 2002. See also the News Release announcing the launch of the GM Science Review.

The science review has focused on reviews of particular scientific topics being debated widely by the science community and others.

This website has played a vital role in ensuring openness and transparency and is the workhorse of the science review. Members of the public with scientific views and the scientific community were invited by Professor Sir David King to comment and to ask questions and contribute short papers (see his letter). Level of participation were said to be a major factor in judging the success of this review in realising its aims.

A strong feature of this review was that it strived to maintain a high standard of scientific argument. Hence we asked that wherever possible, contributions should be supported by relevant scientific evidence, and reasonably argued. This did not, of course, preclude anyone from making contributions or asking questions.