However to date, the only widely used traits developed by genetic modification are herbicide tolerance and Bt insect resistance.

BBC: UK urged to lead on future food

Finally, Pollack's disparaging assertion that "industry ... has been peddling the same two advantages--herbicide tolerance and insect resistance--for 10 years, " is puzzling.

FORBES: The Rationalist

Insect resistance, however, might be expected to be as much of an advantage in the rough and tumble of the wild as in the cosseted environment of the farmer's field.

ECONOMIST: GM crop plants are less weed-like than weedy

Because it allows precise control of the activation or silencing of genetic traits, Dr Greenland and others are testing their molecular switches on such properties as insect or fungal resistance.

ECONOMIST: Terminator genes

Some of the characteristics that scientists genetically implant into crops such as resistance to insect pests could make them as successful off the field as on it.

ECONOMIST: Development and the environment

This, they hope, will help to overcome fears that continuous production of bt (as happens in current versions of the technology) actually promotes insect infestation rather than deterring it, because it stimulates the evolution of resistance.

ECONOMIST: Terminator genes