To give this section some scientific rigor and substance and to provide the necessary information that the Economics Review will need, GeneWatch believes there has to be a critical review of what is actually possible; the extent to which claims for future developments are likely to be realised; and whether supporting GM approaches will stifle scientific innovation in other areas if there is excessive diversion of resources and because of the intellectual property protection arrangements that are in place.

Key issues include:

• If GM foods with increased levels of micro-nutrients are produced, are health claims scientifically justified or how could they be tested? Is a mixed diet, rich in fruit and vegetables a more a scientifically justifiable approach to a healthy diet?
• What pressure will changes to basic biochemistry place on safety assessments? What precautions are needed to prevent excessive intake of any GM functional foods that are developed?
• How likely are oral GM plant based vaccines to be effective? What quality control measures in terms of dose will need to be achieved? How can they be kept separate from the food chain? In developing countries, can GM plants vaccines substitute in scientific terms for the effectiveness of clean water, proper sanitation and good diet in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and promoting resistance to them?
• If other therapeutic products are produced in GM plants, what food safety and environmental issues will be raised and how might these be controlled? What lessons does the Starlink episode offer?

Literature that should form part of the evaluation include

• Dibb, S. & Mayer, S. (2000) Biotech the next generation: Good for whose health? Food Commission and GeneWatch UK. And references therein.

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