MALVERN residents refused to swallow the argument for genetically modified food at a public debate on Wednesday night.

Around 100 people voted against crops being genetically modified at the meeting at the Forum, Malvern Theatres. However, the audience was more willing to accept ideas such as using GM to enhance medical treatments.

The event was organised by Malvern Hills District Council to raise public awareness of GM issues.

Peter Buchanan, head of Dyson Perrins CE High School, chaired the meeting. Guest speakers were Allisa Cook, from the Soil Association, Chris Lennard, from GM Free Worcester, Archie Montgomery, of the National Farmers' Union, and Jona-than Harrington, from CropGen.

The evening kicked off with the video GM Nation and included a card game based around genetic modification scenarios. The audience was then invited to put their questions to the panel of experts.

Concerns raised included the lack of research into GM and whether there was a real need for it.

Allisa Cook said: "I would say that GM is not needed. For me, it's like putting a sticky plaster on a problem without looking at why we have these problems."

Her response was met with loud applause from around the theatre.

Scientist Jonathan Harr-ington said: "If there were no benefits to GM crops, I would agree that there's no use in growing them. However, I can't find any evidence to suggest that."

The audience was then invited to vote on four 'policy positions', such as whether GM crops should now be grown commercially in the UK provided sufficient safeguards are provided.

District councillor John Raine, one of the event organisers, was delighted by the turnout. He said: "There was a good cross- section of people and most left better informed about the issues involved than when they arrived."

Council leader Tom Wells will now write to the Prime Minister, informing him of the results and format of the meeting.