Richard Roberts wants Pope to speak out on GM safety

Richard Roberts, the Nobel laureate for medicine (1993), is known for his discovery of "split genes," a path-breaking analysis of DNA that along with fellow molecular biologist Phillip Sharp gave newer understanding on the working of human genes.

Roberts, 73, is one of the biggest advocates of genetically modified (GM) seeds, an issue that is matter of bitter contention between molecular biologists and green parties. But Roberts says science must win. In June this year, he managed to convince 121 Nobel laureates to endorse GM technology by starting the "Abandon the campaign against GMO" to take on NGOs like Greenpeace. His next move is to reach out to religious leaders for their support.

"I want to convince civic and religious leaders on how GM seeds are completely safe technology to use. I have asked for a personal meeting with the Pope in the coming week to discuss this issue and I am waiting to get a response. I was told that it was looking good," Roberts told ET last week at the Nobel Week Dialogue in Stockholm, where Nobel laureates past and present, discussed the issue of Future of Food.

Read more at The Economic Times