GM scientist deserves sack says Friends of the Earth

One of the scientists carrying out controversial research for the Government on the safety of genetically modified (GM) crops is also being paid by the biotechnology industry to "make the case for GM crops" Friends of the Earth has found out.

FOE has written to Environment Minister Michael Meacher demanding that he sack the scientist and his Institute from the Government's GM research programme.

Dr Peter Lutman works at the Institute of Arable Crops Research (IACR), part of a consortium of research groups carrying out Government work on farm-scale trials. The consortium has contracts worth 3.3 million with the Government for this work. Dr Lutman is a co-author of a report to the Government on progress on the trials.

Dr Lutman is also involved with CropGen, a new initiative launched by the biotechnology industry to make the case for GM crops. Two other scientists from IACR are also part of CropGen. CropGen has confirmed to Friends of the Earth that scientists on the CropGen panel are paid "honoraria" for their work as panel members.