Genetically modified plants - the debate continues

The debate about the potential risks and benefits of genetically modified o rganisms (GMOs) has hit the headlines over the past few months. The polariz ation of much of the debate obscures what really constitutes ecological ris k, and what methods we can apply to identify and quantify those risks. Ecol ogical science has much to offer in this respect, including ecological theo ry, manipulative experiments, the application of molecular tools and the in terpretation of observational data from conventional agriculture. In the cu rrent heated debate, it is perhaps belief in the scientific method, above a ll else, that needs to be promoted and discussed.