Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 50-year-old man has been charged with criminal damage after an incident at a research centre where a trial of GM wheat is taking place.
Hector Christie, from Devon, was arrested following a break-in at the Rothamsted Research centre in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, on Sunday.
Scientists at the centre are conducting a controlled GM wheat experiment, combining modern genetic engineering with their knowledge of natural plant defences, to test whether wheat that can repel aphid attack works in the field.
In a statement, Rothamsted said an intruder had caused "significant" property damage during the break-in on Sunday, but had failed to disrupt the experiment.
Dr Maurice Moloney, director and chief executive of Rothamsted Research, said: "This act of vandalism has attempted to deny us all the opportunity to gather knowledge and evidence, for current and future generations, on one possible technological alternative approach to get plants to defend themselves and therefore reduce pesticide use."
Peter Kendall, NFU president, also condemned the attack.
He said: "If the aim is to feed nine billion people by 2050 there is a sense of urgency to start dealing with this issue now against a backdrop of pressures on natural resources, unpredictable weather patterns, climate change and the need to manage more carefully the use of chemical inputs.
"To achieve this we will need every single tool in our toolbox - and that includes GM crops that have been adapted to cope in dry conditions, need fewer pesticides or offer nutritional benefits.
"Of course there needs to be a strong legal framework for approvals and effective co-existence measures to allow GM and non-GM systems to operate successfully together, but these must be proportional to the need so that growers can retain their markets, and must be based on sound science."
Campaigners have criticised the trials and a demonstration is to be held by one anti-GM group, Take the Flour Back, on May 27.
Christie, of Tapeley Park Lodge, Instow, has been bailed to reappear before Central Magistrates' Court in St Albans on July 13, Hertfordshire Police said.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments