Genetically modified plants – the debate continues

The debate about the potential risks and benefits of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has hit the headlines over the past few months. The polarization of much of the debate obscures what really constitutes ecological risk, and what methods we can apply to identify and quantify those risks. Ecological science has much to offer in this respect, including ecological theory, manipulative experiments, the application of molecular tools and the interpretation of observational data from conventional agriculture. In the current heated debate, it is perhaps belief in the scientific method, above all else, that needs to be promoted and discussed.