Prince Charles Called a Luddite

Britain’s Prince Charles has been called a Luddite for his opposition to the use of genetically modified crops.

Labor MP and House of Commons science committee member Des Turner made the charge, saying GM foods could be a major benefit in fighting world hunger, The Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday.

“Prince Charles has got a way of getting things absolutely wrong. It’s an entirely Luddite attitude to simply reject them out of hand,” Turner said. “In some developing countries where for instance there is a problem with drought or salinity, if you can develop salt- or drought-resistant crops there are great benefits.”

But the Prince’s recent statements expressing concerns about environmental impacts of GM foods were backed by Mike Childs, the campaign director for Friends of the Earth.

“GM crops will not solve the food crisis — and forging ahead with an industrialized farming system will continue to fail people and the environment around the world,” he said.