Ethicist Lucy Carter's PhD research found the arguments against the technology are often exaggerated and alarmist.

Dr Carter says some of the advantages are also overstated, but there is no need to ban commercial use of the technology.

"I think it's healthy to have a good debate," she said.

"I hope some of the arguments commonly used against the use and development of GM plants are not so extreme as they have been in recent history.

"I am not concerned at all about risk to human health, in fact up to 95 per cent of people already consume genetically modified products, they readily appear in the supermarket."
Source: By Australian Broadcasting Corporation