The GM debate: science or scaremongering?

Many conversations on genetic modification over the past few years have begun with the words 'I'm not a scientist, but...' They usually go on to say they do not follow the scientific detail, but it doesn't seem right to tamper with genes. The media and pressure groups have fuelled the fire with emotive terms like 'Frankenstein food', 'genetic pollution' and 'mutant crops'. There are important lessons here, which are as much about people and society as they are about science.