Ever since the method of genetic manipulation, or gene modification as some would prefer, has dominated research, there has been controversy surrounding its use in the breeding of crops and food.

What at first seemed to be a complete success and was advertised as such, namely that the plants were now more robust, would be contaminated with fewer pesticides, yields could be increased and the plants themselves could be made more durable, was quickly recognised by the general public and the press as a strategy with which manufacturers wanted to save money at the expense of the health of the population.

Since then, genetically modified fruit and vegetables no longer have a positive lobby and are increasingly falling into disrepute. Scandals are being uncovered that confirm time and again that the temptation to sell these foods to the public is difficult to thwart, despite strict guidelines that require the labelling of genetically modified ingredients.

The arguments that genetically manipulated fruit and vegetable varieties would only benefit poor countries, as they enable cultivation in areas otherwise unsuitable for agriculture and could thus bring world hunger under control, also arouse suspicion at best and a sense of the injustice committed here in using these poor peoples as laboratory animals.

The fact is that researchers are unable to assess the effects of eating genetically modified foods because they have neither long-term studies nor can they take all the factors into account because they are still great unknowns.

It is therefore largely up to consumers themselves to form an opinion as to whether they want to eat genetically modified food or not. As this means a certain amount of extra work in the form of intensive label reading, many people will continue to enjoy these foods, possibly against their will.

Perhaps even the number of supporters has secretly increased, because so far we know nothing of the possible negative effects and can only continue to speculate. As we know, with less controversy in the public eye, indifference to a particular issue grows and it could only be a matter of time before we become so accustomed to it that our own resistance to genetically modified fruit and vegetables slowly shrinks until we eat it like tame rabbits at the hands of the producers. Many of our fellow citizens are sure to have stopped reading the labels by the time they become silent on the subject.

Lurking in the back of our minds are the warnings and raised forefingers of those who see a great danger approaching, let's hope that in ten or twenty years' time they won't have to tell us "we've always known, why didn't anyone listen to us?".